Complex computing network for customizing a visual representation for use in an audio conversation on a mobile application

ABSTRACT

Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for generating visual representations for use in audio conversations. For example, a method comprises receiving user information associated with a first user; receiving visual representation information input by the first user, wherein the visual representation information comprises a first feature, wherein the visual representation information further comprises a second feature distinct from the first feature, wherein the first feature comprises a facial feature; generating a visual representation based on the visual representation information, wherein the visual representation is presented to a second user during an audio conversation between the first user and a second user, wherein at least one of the first feature or second feature changes form when the first user speaks during the audio conversation, and wherein both the first feature and the second feature remain static when the second user speaks during the audio conversation.

BACKGROUND

People use software applications to establish audio communication with friends, family, and known acquaintances. In each instance, a person knows the contact information of the person he or she is seeking to communicate with and uses the contact information to establish communication. There is a need for a person to expand his or her communication beyond friends, family, and known acquaintances, and benefit from sharing and listening to perspectives beyond the person's immediate social network. While social networking applications enable text-based communication among people, they do not provide a smooth and efficient way for people to actually talk and have meaningful live conversations beyond one's immediate network of friends, family, and known acquaintances. Therefore, there is a need to provide an improved computing environment for establishing and broadcasting audio communication, and thereby optimize both a speaker's and listener's experience during the audio communication.

SUMMARY

In some embodiments, methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for generating visual representations for use in communication between users. An exemplary method comprises: receiving, using one or more computing device processors, user information associated with a first user; receiving, using the one or more computing device processors, visual representation information input by the first user, wherein the visual representation information comprises a first facial feature, and wherein the visual representation information further comprises a second facial feature distinct from the first facial feature; generating, using the one or more computing device processors, a visual representation based on the visual representation information, wherein the generating comprises combining the first facial feature and the second facial feature; wherein the visual representation is presented to a second user during an audio conversation between the first user and a second user, wherein at least one of the first facial feature or the second facial feature constantly changes form when the first user speaks during the audio conversation, and wherein both the first facial feature and the second facial feature remain static when the second user speaks during the audio conversation; and generating, using the one or more computing device processors, a user profile for the first user, wherein the user profile is accessible to the second user, and wherein the user profile comprises the visual representation.

In some embodiments, the visual representation does not comprise a video image or still image of the first user.

In some embodiments, the first facial feature or the second facial feature comprises at least one of a head, a lip, a mouth, eyes, an ear, a nose, and hair.

In some embodiments, the first facial feature or the second facial feature comprises at least one of headgear, glasses, or an accessory.

In some embodiments, the first user is added to a list of followers comprised in a second user profile of the second user.

In some embodiments, the user profile comprises a list of following users added by the first user.

In some embodiments, the first user can establish a private call with a following user based on the following user also adding the first user to a second list of following users associated with the following user.

In some embodiments, the audio conversation is added to the user profile either during or after conclusion of the audio conversation, and wherein the user profile comprises an option to play the audio conversation.

In some embodiments, the user profile comprises a list of conversations that the first user has participated in, is currently participating in, has previously listened to, or is currently listening to.

In some embodiments, the user profile presents an option to share the audio conversation with a third user on a mobile application on which the audio conversation is conducted, or with an external social network.

In some embodiments, the form associated with the first facial feature or the second facial feature comprises a shape or a size.

In some embodiments, the visual representation comprises at least one of an avatar, an emoji, a symbol, a persona, an animation, a cartoon, an indicia, or an illustration.

In some embodiments, the user profile comprises a suggested audio conversation to listen to or a suggested user to follow.

In some embodiments, the first user can edit the user profile on a mobile application while conducting the audio conversation on the mobile application or while listening to a second audio conversation on the mobile application.

In some embodiments, an apparatus is provided for generating visual representations for use in audio conversations. The apparatus comprises one or more computing device processors; one or more memory systems comprising code, executable by the one or more computing device processors, and configured to: receive user information associated with a first user; receive visual representation information input by the first user, wherein the visual representation information comprises a first feature, wherein the visual representation information further comprises a second feature distinct from the first feature, and wherein the first feature comprises a facial feature; generate a visual representation based on the visual representation information, wherein the visual representation is presented to a second user during an audio conversation between the first user and a second user, wherein at least one of the first feature or the second feature changes form when the first user speaks during the audio conversation, wherein both the first feature and the second feature remain static when the second user speaks during the audio conversation, wherein the visual representation does not comprise a video image or still image of the first user, and wherein the visual representation associated with the first user is presented to a third user listening to the audio conversation.

In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises at least one of an application server or a mobile device.

In some embodiments, methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for generating visual representations for use in communication between users. The method comprises receiving, using one or more computing device processors, user information associated with a first user; receiving, using the one or more computing device processors, visual representation information input by the first user, wherein the visual representation information comprises a first feature, wherein the visual representation information further comprises a second feature distinct from the first feature, and wherein the first feature comprises a facial feature; and generating, using the one or more computing device processors, a visual representation based on the visual representation information, wherein the visual representation is presented to a second user during an audio conversation between the first user and a second user, wherein at least one of the first feature or the second feature moves when the first user speaks during the audio conversation, and wherein both the first feature and the second feature remain unmoved when the second user speaks during the audio conversation, wherein the visual representation does not comprise a video image or still image of the first user, and wherein the visual representation associated with the first user is presented to a third user listening to the audio conversation.

In some embodiments, the visual representation comprises at least one of an avatar, an emoji, a symbol, a persona, an animation, a cartoon, an indicia, or an illustration, or further comprising associating the visual representation with a user profile of the first user.

In some embodiments, the facial feature comprises a lip, and wherein the lip tracks speech of the first user during the audio conversation.

In some embodiments, an option to generate a second visual representation for the first user based on automatically selected features.

In some embodiments, the visual representation comprises a video image or still image of the first user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a high-level network system within which an application server may be implemented, in accordance with example embodiments described herein;

FIG. 2 is a detailed system diagram of the application server of FIG. 1, in accordance with example embodiments described herein;

FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66 a, 66 b, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101 a, 101 b, 101 c, 101 d, 101 e, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, and 120 illustrate user interfaces of a mobile application, in accordance with example embodiments described herein;

FIG. 121 is a flowchart illustrating a method for establishing and broadcasting audio communication between mobile devices, in accordance with example embodiments described herein;

FIGS. 122, 123, and 124 illustrate ornamental designs for a display screen or portion thereof with graphical user interface, in accordance with example embodiments described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Illustrated in FIG. 1 is a high-level network system environment 100 within which an application server for a mobile application may be implemented. In the depicted implementation, the system environment 100 may include an application server 104 coupled to a network 102. The network system environment 100 may also include a plurality of data stores 106 communicatively coupled to each other and to the application server 104 and/or the application provisioning server 136 via the network 102, a mobile device 116, a non-mobile device 126, and an application provisioning server 136. While a single application server 104, a single application provisioning server 136, a single mobile device 116, and a single non-mobile device 126 are illustrated, the disclosed principles and techniques can be expanded to include multiple application servers, application provisioning servers, mobile devices, and non-mobile devices.

In some embodiments, the application server 104, the application provisioning server 136, the mobile device 116, and/or the non-mobile device 126 may include at least one computing device such as a mainframe server, a content server, a communication server, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a handheld computing device, a smart phone, a wearable device, a touch screen, a biometric device, a video processing device, an audio processing device, a virtual machine, a cloud-based computing system and/or service, and/or the like. The application server 104, the application provisioning server 136, the mobile device 116, and/or the non-mobile device 126 may include a plurality of computing devices configured to communicate with one another and/or implement the techniques described herein. In some embodiments, the mobile device 116 and the non-mobile device 126 may include a plurality of computing devices configured to communicate with one another or with other computing devices coupled to the network 102 and/or implement the techniques described herein.

In some instances, the application server 104 may include various elements of a computing environment as described with reference to FIG. 1. For example, the application server 104 may include a processing system 108, a memory system 110, an input/output (I/O) system 112, and/or a communication system 114. A user (e.g., network administrator) may operate the application server 104 either locally or remotely.

The mobile device 116 may include various elements of a computing environment as described with reference to FIG. 1. For example, the mobile device 116 may include a processing system 118, a memory system 120, an input/output (I/O) system 122, and/or a communication system 124.

The non-mobile device 126 may include various elements of a computing environment as described with reference to FIG. 1. For example, the non-mobile device 126 may include a processing system 128, a memory system 130, an input/output (I/O) system 132, and/or a communication system 134.

The application provisioning server 136 may include various elements of a computing environment as described with reference to FIG. 1. For example, the application provisioning server 136 may include a processing system 138, a memory system 140, an input/output (I/O) system 142, and/or a communication system 144. A user (e.g., network administrator) may operate the application provisioning server 136 either locally or remotely.

According to some implementations, the application provisioning server 136 may store one or more executable copies of an application that may execute on the mobile device 116 or non-mobile device 126. The mobile device 116 or non-mobile device 126 may send a message to the application provisioning server requesting sending an executable copy of the application to the mobile device 116 or non-mobile device 126. The application provisioning server 136 may send to the mobile device 116 or non-mobile device 126 the executable copy after determining the mobile device 116 or non-mobile device 126 meets a predefined set of criteria, such as meeting hardware or software requirements or the like. In some embodiments, a user of the mobile device 116 or the non-mobile device 126 may need to authenticate to a user account associated with downloading software applications to mobile device 116 or the non-mobile device 126 to be able to download the executable copy of the application. Afterward, the user of the mobile device 116 or non-mobile device 126 can install the application on the device and utilize the application. Periodically, an updated version of the application may be pushed to the device such that the updated version is either automatically installed, based on receiving prior approval from the user, or installed promptly (or at a scheduled time in the future) upon receiving approval from the user.

According to some implementations, when a user utilizes the application on the mobile device 116 or non-mobile device 126, the application may send one or more messages to the application server 104 for implementing the user's request. The application server 104 may utilize its computing resources (either singly or in combination with the computing resources of the mobile device 116 or non-mobile device 126) to perform operations as requested by the user. In some embodiments, the application server 104 may use external components such as the data stores 106 to retrieve information for completing the user's request. The data stores may include one or more database structures used for categorizing and storing of data. Data may include user account data, application-specific data, user account data associated with the application, user account data associated with the application provisioning server 136, etc.

It is appreciated that the mobile device 116 may include a handheld computing device, a smart phone, a tablet, a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wearable device, a biometric device, an implanted device, a camera, a video recorder, an audio recorder, a touchscreen, a computer server, a virtual server, a virtual machine, and/or a video communication server. In some embodiments, the mobile device 116 may include a plurality of endpoint computing devices configured to communicate with one another and/or implement the techniques described herein.

The non-mobile device 126 may include computing devices, such as a desktop computer system, a server, and/or other large scale computing systems or the like.

The network system environment 100 may include a plurality of networks. For instance, the network 102 may include any wired/wireless communication network that facilitates communication between the components of the network system environment 100. The network 102, in some instances, may include an Ethernet network, a cellular network (2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, LTE, etc.), a computer network, the Internet, a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) network, a light fidelity (Li-Fi) network, a Bluetooth network, a radio frequency identification (RFID) network, a near-field communication (NFC) network, a laser-based network, and/or the like.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary system diagram of application server 104. Specifically, FIG. 2 provides exemplary relationships between the exemplary aspects of the application server 104.

As seen in FIG. 2, the processing system 108, the memory system 110, the I/O system 112, and the communication system 114 may include one or more units and/or subunits for performing operations described herein. Additionally, each unit 108, 110, 112, 114 and/or subunit 218, 220, 222, 224, 226, 228, 230, 202, 204, 206, 208, 210, 212, 214, 216 may be operatively and/or otherwise communicatively coupled with each other so as to facilitate the operations described herein. The application server 104, and/or any of its units and/or subunits, may include general hardware, specifically-purposed hardware, and/or a combination thereof. Each unit and/or subunit may be implemented entirely in hardware, or entirely in software, or a combination of hardware and software.

Importantly, the application server 104 and any units and/or subunits of FIG. 2 may be included in one or more elements of system environment 100 as described with reference to FIG. 1. For example, one or more elements (e.g., units and/or subunits) of the application server 104 may be included in the mobile device 116, non-mobile device 126, and/or the application provisioning server 136. In some embodiments, any description of the components of the application server 104 may apply equally to components of the mobile device 116, non-mobile device 126, and/or the application provisioning server 136. Therefore, any references or description with regard to application server 104 can be applied to the mobile device 116, non-mobile device 126, and/or the application provisioning server 136.

The processing system 108 may control one or more of the memory system 110, the I/O system 112, and the communication system 114, as well as any included subunits, elements, components, devices, and/or functions performed by the memory system 110, the I/O system 112, and the communication system 114. The described units of the application server 104 may also be included in any of the other units and/or subunits and/or systems included in the system environment 100 of FIG. 1. Additionally, any actions described herein as being performed by a processor or one or more processors of a computing device (or one or more computing device processors/one or more computing system processors), may be taken by the processing system 108 of FIG. 2 alone and/or by the processing system 108 in conjunction with one or more additional processors, units, subunits, elements, components, devices, and/or the like. Further, while one processing system 108 may be shown in FIG. 2, multiple processing units may be present and/or otherwise included in the application server 104 or elsewhere in the overall system (e.g., network system environment 100 of FIG. 1). Thus, while instructions may be described as being executed by the processing system 108 (and/or units of the processing system 108), the instructions may be executed simultaneously, serially, and/or otherwise by one or multiple processing systems 108 on one or more devices.

In some embodiments, the processing system 108 may be implemented as one or more computer processing unit (CPU) chips and/or graphical processing unit (GPU) chips and may include a hardware device capable of executing computer instructions. The processing system 108 may execute instructions, codes, computer programs, and/or scripts. The instructions, codes, computer programs, and/or scripts may be received from and/or stored in the memory system 110, the I/O system 112, the communication system 114, subunits, and/or elements of the aforementioned units, other devices and/or computing environments, and/or the like.

In some embodiments, the processing system 108 may include, among other elements, subunits such as a content management system 218, a location determination system 224, a graphical processing unit (GPU) 222, and a resource allocation system 220. Each of the aforementioned subunits of the processing system 108 may be communicatively and/or otherwise operably coupled with each other.

The content management system 218 may facilitate generation, modification, analysis, transmission, and/or presentation of content. Content may be file content, media content, user content, application content, operating system content, etc., or any combination thereof. In some instances, content on which the content management system 218 may operate includes device information, user interface data, images, text, themes, audio data, video data, documents, and/or the like. Additionally, the content management system 218 may control the audio and/or appearance of application data during execution of various processes. In some embodiments, the content management system 218 may interface with a third-party content server and/or memory location for execution of its operations.

The location determination system 224 may facilitate detection, generation, modification, analysis, transmission, and/or presentation of location information. Location information may include global positioning system (GPS) coordinates, an Internet protocol (IP) address, a media access control (MAC) address, geolocation information, a port number, a server number, a proxy name and/or number, device information (e.g., a serial number), an address, a zip code, router information (or cellphone tower location) associated with router (or cellphone tower) connected to application server 104 (or computing device in communication with the application server 104) for connecting to the Internet, and/or the like. In some embodiments, the location determination system 224 may include various sensors, radar, and/or other specifically-purposed hardware elements for the location determination system 224 to acquire, measure, and/or otherwise transform location information.

The GPU 222 may facilitate generation, modification, analysis, processing, transmission, and/or presentation of content described above, as well as any data (e.g., scanning instructions, scan data, and/or the like) described herein. In some embodiments, the GPU 222 may be utilized to render content for presentation on a computing device. The GPU 222 may also include multiple GPUs and therefore may be configured to perform and/or execute multiple processes in parallel. In some implementations, the GPU 222 may be used in conjunction with other subunits associated with the memory system 110, the I/O system 112, the communication system 114, and/or a combination thereof.

The resource allocation system 220 may facilitate the determination, monitoring, analysis, and/or allocation of computing resources throughout the application server 104 and/or other computing environments. Computing resources of the application server utilized by the processing system 108, the memory system 110, the I/O system 112, and/or the communication system 114 (and/or any subunit of the aforementioned units) such as processing power, data storage space, network bandwidth, and/or the like may be in high demand at various times during operation. Accordingly, the resource allocation system 220 may include sensors and/or other specially-purposed hardware for monitoring performance of each unit and/or subunit of the application server 104, as well as hardware for responding to the computing resource needs of each unit and/or subunit. In some embodiments, the resource allocation system 220 may utilize computing resources of a second computing environment separate and distinct from the application server 104 to facilitate a desired operation.

For example, the resource allocation system 220 may determine a number of simultaneous computing processes and/or requests. The resource allocation system 220 may also determine that the number of simultaneous computing processes and/or requests meets and/or exceeds a predetermined threshold value. Based on this determination, the resource allocation system 220 may determine an amount of additional computing resources (e.g., processing power, storage space of a particular non-transitory computer-readable memory medium, network bandwidth, and/or the like) required by the processing system 108, the memory system 110, the I/O system 112, and/or the communication system 114, and/or any subunit of the aforementioned units for safe and efficient operation of the computing environment while supporting the number of simultaneous computing processes and/or requests. The resource allocation system 220 may then retrieve, transmit, control, allocate, and/or otherwise distribute determined amount(s) of computing resources to each element (e.g., unit and/or subunit) of the application server 104 and/or another computing environment.

In some embodiments, factors affecting the allocation of computing resources by the resource allocation system 220 may include the number of computing processes and/or requests, a duration of time during which computing resources are required by one or more elements of the application server 104, and/or the like. In some implementations, computing resources may be allocated to and/or distributed amongst a plurality of second computing environments included in the application server 104 based on one or more factors mentioned above. In some embodiments, the allocation of computing resources of the resource allocation system 220 may include the resource allocation system 220 flipping a switch, adjusting processing power, adjusting memory size, partitioning a memory element, transmitting data, controlling one or more input and/or output devices, modifying various communication protocols, and/or the like. In some embodiments, the resource allocation system 220 may facilitate utilization of parallel processing techniques such as dedicating a plurality of GPUs included in the processing system 108 for running a multitude of processes.

The memory system 110 may be utilized for storing, recalling, receiving, transmitting, and/or accessing various files and/or data (e.g., scan data, and/or the like) during operation of application server 104. For example, memory system 110 may be utilized for storing, recalling, and/or updating scan history information as well as other data associated with, resulting from, and/or generated by any unit, or combination of units and/or subunits of the application server 104. In some embodiments, the memory system 110 may store instructions and/or data that may be executed by the processing system 108. For instance, the memory system 110 may store instructions that execute operations associated with one or more units and/or one or more subunits of the application server 104. For example, the memory system 110 may store instructions for the processing system 108, the I/O system 112, the communication system 114, and itself.

Memory system 110 may include various types of data storage media such as solid state storage media, hard disk storage media, virtual storage media, and/or the like. Memory system 110 may include dedicated hardware elements such as hard drives and/or servers, as well as software elements such as cloud-based storage drives. In some implementations, memory system 110 may be a random access memory (RAM) device, a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) device, a static random access memory (SRAM) device, flash memory, read only memory (ROM) device, and/or various forms of secondary storage. The RAM device may be used to store volatile data and/or to store instructions that may be executed by the processing system 108. For example, the instructions stored may be a command, a current operating state of application server 104, an intended operating state of application server 104, and/or the like. As a further example, data stored in the memory system 110 may include instructions related to various methods and/or functionalities described herein. The ROM device may be a non-volatile memory device that may have a smaller memory capacity than the memory capacity of a secondary storage. The ROM device may be used to store instructions and/or data that may be read during execution of computer instructions. In some embodiments, access to both the RAM device and ROM device may be faster to access than the secondary storage. Secondary storage may be comprised of one or more disk drives and/or tape drives and may be used for non-volatile storage of data or as an over-flow data storage device if the RAM device is not large enough to hold all working data. Secondary storage may be used to store programs that may be loaded into the RAM device when such programs are selected for execution. In some embodiments, the memory system 110 may include one or more data storage devices 210 (shown in FIG. 2) for storing any data described herein. Additionally or alternatively, one or more secondary databases located remotely from application server 104 may be used and/or accessed by memory system 110. In some embodiments, memory system 110 and/or its subunits may be local to the application server 104 and/or remotely located in relation to the application server 104.

Turning back to FIG. 2, the memory system 110 may include subunits such as an operating system 202, an application programming interface 204, an application data 206, and a content storage 208. Each of the aforementioned subunits of the memory system 110 may be communicatively and/or otherwise operably coupled with each other and other units and/or subunits of the application server 104.

The operating system 202 may facilitate deployment, storage, access, execution, and/or utilization of an operating system utilized by the application server 104, and/or any other computing environment described herein. In some embodiments, operating system 202 may include various hardware and/or software elements that serve as a structural framework for processing system 108 to execute various operations described herein. Operating system 202 may further store various pieces of data associated with operation of the operating system and/or application server 104 as a whole, such as a status of computing resources (e.g., processing power, memory availability, resource utilization, and/or the like), runtime information, systems to direct execution of operations described herein, user permissions, security credentials, and/or the like. In some embodiments, the operating system 202 may comprise a mobile operating system. A user may configure portions of the mobile operating to more efficiently operate or configure the application being executed on any mobile device described herein.

The application data 206 may facilitate deployment, storage, access, execution, and/or utilization of an application utilized by the application server 104, the application provisioning server 136, the mobile device 116, or the non-mobile device 126, and/or any other computing environment described herein. For example, the application server 104, the application provisioning server 136, the mobile device 116, or the non-mobile device 126, may be required to download, install, access, and/or otherwise utilize a software application. As such, application data 206 may represent any data associated with such a software application. The application data 206 may further store various data associated with the operation of an application and/or associated with one or more of the application server 104, the application provisioning server 136, the mobile device 116, or the non-mobile device 126, such as a status of computing resources (e.g., processing power, memory availability, resource utilization, and/or the like), runtime information, user interfaces, systems to direct execution of operations described herein to, user permissions, security credentials, and/or the like.

The application programming interface (API) 204 may facilitate deployment, storage, access, execution, and/or utilization of information associated with APIs of application server 104 and/or any other computing environment described herein. For example, application server 104 may include one or more APIs for various devices, applications, units, subunits, elements, and/or other computing environments to communicate with each other and/or utilize any data described herein. Accordingly, API 204 may include API databases containing information that may be accessed and/or utilized by applications, units, subunits, elements, and/or operating systems of other devices and/or computing environments. In some embodiments, each API database may be associated with a customized physical circuit included in memory system 110 and/or API 204. Additionally, each API database may be public and/or private, wherein authentication credentials may be required to access information in an API database. In some embodiments, the API 204 may enable the application provisioning server 136, the application server 104, the mobile device 116, and the non-mobile device 126 to communicate with each other or with any other computing devices, including third-party systems, or may enable the application to be installed on a variety of other computing devices to facilitate communication with the application server 104, the application provisioning server 136, the mobile device 116, and the non-mobile device 126.

The content storage 208 may facilitate deployment, storage, access, and/or utilization of information associated with performance of operations and/or API-based processes by application server 104, the application provisioning server 136, the mobile device 116, and the non-mobile device 126 and/or any other computing environment described herein. In some embodiments, content storage 208 may communicate with a content management system 218 to receive and/or transmit content data (e.g., any of the data described herein including application-specific data, user data, etc.). According to some embodiments, the application server 104 may also include instructions associated with one or more security products/systems to facilitate the determining security issues associated with the application as well as detecting threats posed by threat-actors or hackers. For example, the application server 104 may include threat detection logic associated with access control software, anti-keyloggers, anti-malware, anti-spyware, anti-subversion software, anti-tamper software, antivirus software, cryptographic software, computer-aided dispatch (CAD), firewall (web or otherwise), IDS, IPS, log management software, records management software, sandboxes, security information management, security information and event management (STEM) software, anti-theft software, parental control software, cloud-based security protection, and/or the like.

The I/O system 112 may include hardware and/or software elements for the application server 104 to receive, and/or transmit, and/or present information useful for processes as described herein. For example, elements of the I/O system 112 may be used to receive input from a user of the application server 104, the application provisioning server 136, the mobile device 116, or the non-mobile device 126. As described herein, I/O system 112 may include units such as an I/O device 226, a driver 228, and/or an I/O calibration system 230.

The I/O device 226 may facilitate the receipt, transmission, processing, presentation, display, input, and/or output of data as a result of executed processes described herein. In some embodiments, the I/O device 226 may include a plurality of I/O devices. In some embodiments, I/O device 226 may include a variety of elements that enable a user to interface with application server 104. For example, I/O device 226 may include a keyboard, a touchscreen, an option, a sensor, a biometric scanner, a laser, a microphone, a camera, and/or another element for receiving and/or collecting input from a user. Additionally and/or alternatively, I/O device 226 may include a display, a screen, a sensor, a vibration mechanism, a light emitting diode (LED), a speaker, radio frequency identification (RFID) scanner, and/or another element for presenting and/or otherwise outputting data to a user. In some embodiments, the I/O device 226 may communicate with one or more elements of processing system 108 and/or memory system 110 to execute any of the operations described herein.

The I/O calibration system 230 may facilitate the calibration of the I/O device 226. For example, I/O calibration system 230 may detect and/or determine one or more settings of I/O device 226, and then adjust and/or modify settings so that the I/O device 226 may operate more efficiently.

In some embodiments, the I/O calibration system 230 may utilize a driver 228 (or multiple drivers) to calibrate I/O device 226. For example, the driver 228 may include software that is to be installed by the I/O calibration system 230 so that an element (e.g., unit, subunit, etc.) of the application server 104, the application provisioning server 136, the mobile device 116, and the non-mobile device 126 (or an element of another computing environment) may recognize and/or integrate with the I/O device 226 for the operations described herein.

The communication system 114 may facilitate establishment, maintenance, monitoring, and/or termination of communications among the application server 104, the application provisioning server 136, the mobile device 116, and the non-mobile device 126, and other computing environments, third party computing systems, and/or the like. The communication system 114 may also facilitate internal communications between various elements (e.g., units and/or subunits) of application server 104, or of any other system in FIG. 1. In some embodiments, communication system 114 may include a network protocol 214, a gateway 212, and/or a communication device 216. The communication system 114 may include hardware and/or software elements.

The network protocol 214 may facilitate establishment, maintenance, and/or termination of a communication connection for application server 104, the application provisioning server 136, the mobile device 116, and the non-mobile device 126, by way of a network. For example, the network protocol 214 may detect and/or define a communication protocol required by a particular network and/or network type. Communication protocols utilized by network protocol 214 may include Wi-Fi protocols, Li-Fi protocols, cellular data network protocols, Bluetooth® protocols, WiMAX protocols, Ethernet protocols, powerline communication (PLC) protocols, and/or the like. In some embodiments, facilitation of communication for application server 104 may include transforming and/or translating data from being compatible with a first communication protocol to being compatible with a second communication protocol. In some embodiments, network protocol 214 may determine and/or monitor an amount of data traffic to consequently determine which particular network protocol is to be used for establishing a secure communication connection, transmitting data, and/or performing scanning or security operations.

The gateway 212 may facilitate other devices and/or computing environments to access API 204 or other software code comprised in the memory system 110 of the application server 104. For example, an application server 104 may access API 204 or other executable code of the application server 104 via gateway 212. In some embodiments, gateway 212 may be required to validate user credentials associated with a user prior to providing access to information or data requested by a user. Gateway 212 may include instructions for application server 104 to communicate with another device and/or between elements of the application server 104.

The communication device 216 may include a variety of hardware and/or software specifically purposed to facilitate communication for the application server 104. In some embodiments, the communication device 216 may include one or more radio transceivers, chips, analog front end (AFE) units, antennas, processing units, memory, other logic, and/or other components to implement communication protocols (wired or wireless) and related functionality for facilitating communication for the application server 104. Additionally and/or alternatively, the communication device 216 may include a modem, a modem bank, an Ethernet device such as a router or switch, a universal serial bus (USB) interface device, a serial interface, a token ring device, a fiber distributed data interface (FDDI) device, a wireless local area network (WLAN) device and/or device component, a radio transceiver device such as code division multiple access (CDMA) device, a global system for mobile communications (GSM) radio transceiver device, a universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) radio transceiver device, a long term evolution (LTE) radio transceiver device, a worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) device, and/or another device used for communication purposes.

The present disclosure provides an improved computer system environment, including associated hardware and software, for social networking and/or optimizing duration (e.g., speaking time) and quality/content of social networking conversations or talks among users and/or optimizing listening time associated the social networking conversations. The optimizing of speaking time and listening time is enabled using hardware along with specially purposed software code defining specially purposed routines and specially purposed user interfaces. The specially purposed software code is associated with and takes the form of a mobile application and/or specially purposed application programming interfaces (APIs) associated with the mobile application and/or associated with an application server that works with the mobile application to execute functions described in this disclosure. The specially purposed software code may be designed to work with a particular operating system such that the specially purposed software code may not work with another operating system. In some embodiments, the specially purposed software code may work on several distinct operating systems. The specially purposed software code may be configured to work with a processing system, a memory, a hard drive, a microphone, and a speaker associated with the computing device (e.g., mobile computing device) on which the specially purposed software code is executed. In some embodiments, the specially purposed software code may execute many of the functions described herein on the computing device without assistance from other computing devices or servers. In other embodiments, the specially purposed software code is in network communication with an application server such that many of the functions of the mobile application are executed based on communication between the computing device and an applications server. The application server itself may have specially purposed software code to execute the functions described herein. The user interfaces described herein have been specially designed to improve the speed of a user's navigation through the mobile application and to reduce the number of steps to reach desired data or functionality of the mobile application. For example, a user interface is provided to enable a user to efficiently switch from listening mode to conversation mode, and vice versa. Moreover, embodiments of the disclosure enable video-like conversations that can help people with psychological problems to conduct a video-like conversation without capturing video or images of the speaker. In such embodiments, an audiovisual conversation is conducted between customized visual representations of the speakers. In some embodiments, the data associated with the conversations on the platform is curated and published on a platform for consumption (e.g., audio-based engagement) by users. Users may be able to search for or start listening/streaming audio content based on topics selected by the mobile application, search parameters defined by the user (either text or speech), including usernames, names, hashtags, text, category, length of audio, number of listeners, identity of participants (including whether any of the participants is an influencer), types of visual representations used, how many audio messages received, whether a waitlist was established, date of audio creation, etc.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate example screenshots of a home screen of a mobile application on a mobile device. From this screen, a user may choose to view notifications 308, change settings 310, search for users 302, search for talks 304 and 306, switch between conversation and listening modes 314 and 312, and/or perform another action. For example, a user may search for talks with everyone 304 as shown in FIG. 3 or talks with other users in a specific location 306 as shown in FIG. 4. The specific location may be based on a physical location (or network location) of the mobile device on which the application is being accessed, such as a continent, a country, a state, a province, a city, a town, a village, or another type of location, and/or may include an area within 5 miles, 20 miles, or another distance from the determined location. The specific location may be determined in a variety of ways, for example based on user input or automatically detected by the application (in conjunction with GPS data provided by the mobile device), and may be changed by the user. In some embodiments, the location may be determined based on a router or Internet gateway or closest cellphone tower that provides network or Internet access to the mobile device.

Additionally or alternatively, a user may search for another user among everyone as shown in FIG. 3, or in a specific location as shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 55. A user may search for an audio conversation or a user using audio input. A user may search for an audio conversation or a user using text input. The terms “talk” and “audio conversation” may be used interchangeably hereinafter in this disclosure. If no live talk is going on, a message indicating there is no live talk may be displayed as shown in FIG. 3, 4, or 114. In some embodiments, an audio conversation may refer to an audio-only (no video) conversation. In other embodiments, an audio conversation may refer an audio and visual representation conversation such that the speakers in the conversation appear as visual representations (avatars, emojis, etc.) on the mobile device display screen. In still other embodiments, an audio conversation may also include video of the speakers. In some embodiments, the audio conversation includes two speakers. However, in other embodiments, the audio conversation may include just one speaker or more than two speakers, such as three speakers, four speakers, etc.

When in listening mode 314, the application may play live audio conversations using a smart data processing operations, e.g., based on one or more of a user's age, a user's demographic information, a user's membership type (free, paid, or premium), a user's interests, a user's visual representation (e.g., customized by the user based on selections provided by the application), conversation listening history (e.g., during a period), “following” users (e.g., users that the user is following), in-app information and/or history of the “following” users, followers (e.g., other users that follow the user), in-app information and/or history of the followers, current location (e.g., geographic or network location), location history, user profile information, social network information from user's connected social networks, search history (whether on the application or on a third-party site/application), time spent on application, duration of previous conversations, subjects/topics/hashtags a user may be interested in, trending topics, the user's predicted mood, etc. In some embodiments, the audio conversation starts playing without receiving approval from the user when the user is in listening mode. In some embodiments, live or historical audio conversations may be recommended to a user based on the smart data processing operation. A user may customize the home screen, e.g., hiding or un-hiding categories, editing layout of content, editing font, editing a background, editing a theme, editing colors, etc. Content of a user account may be synchronized among multiple devices including talks, user profile, followers, etc. The user's settings may be saved such that the user experience is substantially uniform regardless of the platform, operating system, etc., on which the user accesses the application and authenticates to the application.

When the user selects the notification option 308, a history 11501 and/or updates may be presented as shown in FIG. 5, 102, 115, or 116. The history may include a listen history, event history, etc. The notification updates may include new live talks, new recorded talks, new “following” events (i.e., new users that followed the users, etc.), new audio messages, and/or another type of update. When the user selects the avatar/persona/emoji icon 310, a configuration screen may be presented as shown in FIG. 6. The terms “avatar,” “persona,” and “emoji” may be used interchangeably hereinafter in this disclosure. In this example, the name 609 of the user is shown at the top, and the username 610 is shown at the bottom, but another type of arrangement of the name and username is also possible. From this screen, the user may select from a variety of options, e.g., “Add Bio” 601, “Edit profile” 602, “Change settings” 603, “Share profile” 604, “Talks” 605, “Following” 606, or “Followers” 607. Live talks (e.g., talks that the user is participating in or listening to right now) and/or historical talks (e.g., talks that the user previously participated in or listened to) may be displayed under the “Talks” category 605. In an embodiment, public live talks and/or historical talks may be published on a curated conversation-publication platform, such that a user may search for conversations and listen to them. A user may name/categorize a talk, group talks, and/or name/categories different groups of talks, or names or categories may be automatically assigned by the application or the applications server based on an analysis of the talk. Talks may be sorted based on various parameters such as a number of participant(s), name(s) of participant(s), public or private settings, length of a talk, name of a talk, number of listeners, text extracted from a talk, subject of a talk based on analysis of content of the talk, or date, etc.

If the user selects the “Edit profile” option 602, a screen for editing the user profile may be presented as shown in FIG. 7. The user may edit the username 702, edit the name 703, edit the bio 704, select a “Tap to change” option 701 to edit the avatar 608, link/unlink to a social media account 705, link/unlink to a social network channel, or perform another function. If the user selects the “Change settings” icon 603, a variety of options may be presented as shown in FIG. 8 such as a “Enable push notifications” option 801 (e.g., such that notifications from the application are presented on a display screen of the mobile device (and/or sound is played) when the mobile application is not in use and the user needs to be notified of activity on the application), “Notifications and sounds” option 802, “Privacy and Security” option 803, “Account” option 804, “Help” option 805, “Find friends” option 806, or “Log out” option 807. A version number of the application may also be shown on this screen.

If the user selects the “Notifications and sounds” option 802, a variety of elements of the notifications and sounds settings may be displayed as shown in FIG. 9. The elements may include enable or disable options of new followers 902 (e.g., for notifications associated with the new followers' activities on the mobile application), following started live 903 (e.g., for notifications associated with other users that the user follows), incoming call 904, in-app sounds 905, or in-app vibrate 906, a “Reset to default” icon 907, or another element.

If the user selects the “Privacy and Security” option 803, elements of the privacy and security 803 settings may be displayed as shown in FIG. 10 such as a “Blocked users” icon 1001 or a white-listed users icon. The user may enable or disable being found by contacts through his/her phone number, auto adding contacts as friends, being auto added by contacts as friends, etc. The user may configure viewing privileges of content such as talks, user profile, location, followers, “following” users, or contact information for individual followers (or following users) or groups of followers (or following users). The user may configure displaying options of content such as talks, user profile, location, followers, “following” users, or contact information for individual “following” users or groups of “following” users. If the user selects the “Account” option 804, elements of the “Account” 804 settings may be displayed as shown in FIG. 11, such as “Date of birth” 1101, “Phone number” 1102, or “Delete account” 1103. The user may edit the date of birth or phone number, or delete the account. When a user selects the “Delete account” option 1103 in FIG. 11 or 9501 in FIG. 95, a variety of reasons may be presented to the user, e.g., “I don't like the app” 9502, “I wasn't meeting new people” 9503, “My friends don't use this app” 9504, “It's hard to use” 9505, or “Other” 9506.

If the user selects the “Help” option 805, elements of the “Help” option 805 may be displayed as shown in FIG. 12 such as FAQ (frequently asked questions), terms and conditions, privacy policy, or contact us. If the user selects the “Find friends” option 806, elements of the “Find friends” 806 may be displayed as shown in FIG. 13 such as a “Give access” option 1301. In an embodiment, the “Give access” option 1301 grants the mobile application access to the contacts list of the user or the user equipment so that the mobile application may extract friends from the contacts list. In another embodiment, the “Give access” option 1301 may grant the mobile application access to the friends list of a linked social media account and may extract friends from the linked social media account. If a contact is blocked on the contacts list, the corresponding account or user in the application may not be displayed. If the user selects the “Log out” option 807, a pop up window may be displayed for the user to confirm the log out process or choose to go back to the previous screen as shown in FIG. 14.

If the user selects the right arrow icon 604, a share profile screen may pop up as shown in FIG. 15. The user may choose to copy a link for profile sharing, share his/her profile to an instant message application or social media network, or perform another function to share the profile. If the user selects the “Following” icon 606, a screen of “following” users may be presented as shown in FIG. 16. If the user selects the “Followers” icon 607, a screen that displays followers of the user may be presented as shown in FIG. 17. The user may organize the “following” users and/or followers into groups. The user may initiate talks with individual users or groups of users such as individual “following” users, individual followers, groups of “following” users and/or followers.

If the user selects the search icon 302 on the home screen of the application, a search bar 1801 may be presented as shown in FIG. 18. As shown in FIG. 19, a user may input keywords such as letters, numbers, or special characters into the search bar 1801 and search for a user/account/group of users. If the user uses a string of characters as a keyword, accounts comprising the string of characters in their username or name may be displayed as search results. In this example, when the user searches for “Name 02,” an account with “name02” as part of its username is found. When the newly found user “name02” is selected, different aspects of the user “name02” may be presented as shown in FIG. 20. Here the five followers of the user “name02” are displayed with a plus icon next to each of the followers. A first user may add a second user by selecting the corresponding plus icon. In this example, a follower with a username “name06” and name “Name 06” is added by the user and the plus icon next to the follower “name06” changes to a check mark as shown in FIG. 21.

A follower may receive updates regarding the user being followed, the “following” user, on a variety of categories such as new live talks, new recorded talks, profile updates, location updates, updates for followers of the “following” user, updates for the “following” users of the “following” user, name updates, username updates, or bio updates. The follower and/or the “following” user may enable notifications for updates on one or more of the above individual categories. The user “name06” may be added directly or with permission from the user “name06.” In other words in some embodiments, the plus icon next to the follower may be displayed as pending before it changes to a check mark.

An information page for the second user “name06” may be presented as shown in FIG. 22 if the first user selects the emoji of the second user. Since now the first user is following the second user, a “Following” icon 2202 is displayed on the information page of the second user. The first user may unfollow the second user by selecting the “Following” icon. The information page as shown in FIG. 22 or FIG. 57 may include a username of a user, a name, a description/bio of the user, a talks icon for a list of talks associated with the user, a following icon for a list of “following” users, and/or a followers icon for a list of followers. The list of talks may include public talks that are visible to everyone, private talks that are visible only to following user and/or followers of the profile owner of the information page, etc. In an embodiment, the profile owner may edit viewing privilege of individual public and/or private talks. In an embodiment, the number of listener(s) or usernames of the listener(s) associated with the talks may be displayed, e.g., with permission from the listener(s) and/or the speaker(s). The number of listeners of a recorded talk may be the number of listeners of the talk when it was live, or the number of listeners of the talk after it is recorded, or the total number of listeners of the talk whether when it was live or recorded. The information page may also include an icon indicating the first user is following the user “name06.” By selecting one from the list of talks from “name06,” the first user may listen to the selected talk. For example, if the user taps a “talk with ###” icon, a screen for playing back the recorded talk may be presented as shown in FIGS. 23, 58 with emojis of both “name06” and the other speaker and/or a playback control bar 2302, 5803 with various function icons. In some embodiments, the emojis remain static during the playback. In other embodiments, the emojis change shape or form during the playback based on the speech being stated by the user. In some embodiments, artificial intelligence functions may be used to indicate emotion, mood, feedback, etc., by the non-speaking user when the other user speaks. Any and all functions described herein are applicable equally to live and recorded talks. The function icons may include fast forward, rewind, playback speed, play, pause icons, and/or a playback progress bar. A following/follow icon may be displayed indicating whether or not each of the speakers is a “following” user (i.e., the user follows the speaker) or may allow the user to follow a speaker. In some embodiments, the user may be able to select the “following” icon to unfollow the speaker.

Live or recorded audio conversations may be analyzed and/or manipulated where needed, e.g., to adjust accent or tone, to block ‘bad’ words, to create hashtags or another searchable parameter, to create trending topics, etc. The analysis or manipulation of audio conversations may be performed by at least one of the application server or the mobile application. In an embodiment, a user may be provided with functionality to analyze and/or manipulate the audio conversations. For example, a user may edit a recorded audio conversation by filtering out certain words, clipping the length of the conversation, adjusting the user's voice such as an accent, etc. In some embodiments, these functions may be automatically performed by the mobile application (e.g., in conjunction with the applications server) and may be implemented when the user is operating the application in conversation mode.

Audio or visual advertisements may be delivered in the mobile application using a smart data operation, e.g., based on one or more of a user's age, a user's demographic information, a user's membership type (free, paid, or premium), a user's interests, a user's emoji, conversation listening history, “following” users, in-app information and/or history of the “following” users, followers, in-app information and/or history of the followers, current location, location history, user profile information, social network information from user's connected social networks, search history (whether on the mobile application or on a third-party site/application), time spent on app, duration of previous conversations, a user's mood, subjects/topics/hashtags a user may be interested in, trending topics, prior ad-presentation history, ad preferences set by user, etc. In some embodiments, the advertisements may be referred to as targeted communications. In some embodiments, a user may select to opt out of such targeted communications. The targeted communications may be presented in visual or audio form, and may be presented on any user interface described herein or in conjunction with any user interface described herein.

Mouth shapes, facial expressions, or moods of an emoji may change according to words being said, content of the talk, tone of the talk, and/or another factor of the talk as shown by an emoji 8801 in FIG. 88, e.g., just like a person would change the mouth shapes, facial expressions, and/or moods when talking in real life or on a video call. In some embodiments, the mouth or lips associated with a user's visual representation may move, or change shape or form when the user speaks, and the mouth or lips associated with the user's visual representation may not move, and not change shape or form when the user does not speak, during the audio conversation. Proper changing of the mouth shapes, facial expressions, or moods of the emoji may be implemented with artificial intelligence (AI) operations. Even though an emoji (or avatar) is discussed here as an example of a graphical visual representation of a user, it should be appreciated that other types of graphical visual representations of the user are also possible. It should also be appreciated that other ways of implementing hardware and/or software described in this disclosure are possible, e.g., by a physical device such as a toy radio or talking doll. For example, any of the devices described herein may be embedded in a toy radio or talking doll. Audio-only avatars may better help people with psychological barriers and/or hearing problems compared to video conferencing or radios.

By selecting the down arrow 2303 on the top right section of the screen in FIG. 23, the mobile application may be minimized while a talk is still running as shown in FIG. 52. In an embodiment, when the user exits the mobile application, the talk may continue as shown in FIG. 48. A first user may listen to or participate in a conversation while viewing a second user's profile, editing his or her own profile, or conducting another non-conversation/non-listening function as shown in FIG. 30. In some embodiments, a conversation may be allowed to continue while a user works outside the mobile application or performs other non-conversation/non-listening functions in app. Even though only two speakers/talkers are shown in this example, it should be appreciated that other numbers of speakers are also possible such as one, three, or any other number. For example, a single user such as an influencer conducting a live talk is shown in FIG. 109. Only speakers that are actively talking may be displayed, some of the active speakers may be displayed (and some of the non-talking speakers may be hidden), and/or all speakers associated with the talk (i.e., whether currently talking or not) may be displayed. Only speakers that are actively talking may be highlighted, some of the active speakers may be highlighted, and/or all speakers involved in the talk may be highlighted. In some embodiments, a listener may decide and select to see certain speakers that are part of the conversation. In some embodiments, FIG. 109 shows an instance where a speaker “name12” was having a conversation with a user, and that user dropped off or terminated the conversation from his or her end. The speaker “name12” and one or more listeners are still part of the conversation and the mobile application is searching for a new user to add to the conversation with “name12.” The mobile application (in cooperation with the application server) may search for users based on any of the techniques described herein. In some embodiments, the mobile application may select a next user from the waiting list associated with “name12” or associated with the conversation in which “name12” is participating.

When two users are in a live conversation and a third user wants to join the conversation, the third user may send a request for permission to talk. When the permission is granted (by the first user or the second user currently in the conversation, or permission may need to obtained from both the first user and the second user), the third user may start talking in the conversation. In an embodiment, one additional user may join an ongoing live talk at a time. In another embodiment, up to a different (higher) number of additional users may join an ongoing live talk at a time. In some embodiments, only two users may talk simultaneously while in other embodiments, more than two users may talk simultaneously.

If a user selects the “talk with name07” icon on the screen as shown in FIG. 22, a screen for the talk between “name06” and “name07” with emojis of both users may be presented as shown in FIG. 24. Compared to FIG. 24 where the talk is played at the normal speed, the same talk is played at 1.5 times normal speed in FIG. 25.

A speaker may mute himself/herself during a conversation as indicated by the mute icon 2601 in FIG. 26, the mute icon 8101 in FIG. 81, or the mute icon 8901 in FIG. 89. Additionally or alternatively, a listener may mute a conversation while listening to a talk as indicated by a “muted” icon 10001 in FIG. 100. Alternatively, a listener may mute selected speakers in a conversation.

If the user taps the “18 following” icon on the screen shown in FIG. 22, the list of “following” users of “Name 06” may be presented as shown in FIG. 27. The screen shown in FIG. 22 may be scrolled down and the remaining of the list of talks associated with “Name 06” may be presented as shown in FIG. 28. If the user taps the ellipsis icon corresponding to the “Talk with name08” from FIG. 22, a window may pop up as shown in FIG. 29 with options to share the talk such as to copy the link of the talk, to share the talk to an instant messenger or a social media network, and/or another sharing option. The pop up window 2901 may include a report icon where a user can report the talk or speaker(s) to the mobile application (e.g., because the speaker may have said something inappropriate). In some embodiments, the mobile application may analyze, in near real-time, conversations and may censor speech that is deemed offensive, inappropriate for certain audience, etc.

When a user listens to a talk, information on the talk such as the talkers or playback control options may be presented in the bottom section 3001 of a screen as shown in FIG. 30. The bottom section may be a conversation between “name06” and “name07” that “Name 01” is currently listening to.

If a user selects a “Find someone to chat with now” option beneath the “Talks” option 605 as shown in FIG. 30, a screen of finding a chat partner for the user among everyone (see user's selection of 304) may be presented as shown in FIG. 31, or if the user so chooses, another screen of finding a chat partner for the user within a specific location may be presented as shown in FIG. 32. The chat partner may be found using a smart data operation described herein such that a chat partner is determined based on one or more of a variety of parameters such as a user's age, a user's other demographic information, a user's membership type (free, paid, or premium), a user's interests, a user's emoji, conversation listening history, “following” users and their data, in-app information and/or history of the “following” users, followers and their data, in-app information and/or history of the followers, current location, location history, user profile information, social network information from user's connected social networks, search history (whether on the mobile application or on a third party site/app), time spent on app, duration of previous conversations, a user's mood, subjects/topics/hashtags a user may be interested in, trending topics, etc. If the mobile application fails to find a chat partner after a predetermined period of time, options such as “Continue listening” 3201 or “Cancel” 3202 may be displayed. The matching of the chat partner with a user may be substantially real-time or instantaneous.

If the user selects the “Tap to change” icon 701 to change the emoji of the account, a screen for changing the emoji may be presented as shown in FIG. 33. Different characteristics of the emoji may be edited including the head, a hair style, the eyes, the nose, the mouth, the ears, facial hair, accessories, etc. The complexion, face shape, or another characteristic of the head may be edited as shown in FIGS. 33, 34, 42, 43, and 44, the color or style of the hair may be edited as shown in FIG. 35, the color or shape of the eyes or the color or style of the eyeliner may be edited as shown in FIG. 36, and the length, size, or shape of the nose may be edited as shown in FIG. 37. The color, size, or shape of the mouth may be edited as shown in FIG. 38, the size or shape of the ears may be edited as shown in FIG. 39, the color or style of facial hair such as different styles of a beard or mustache may be edited as shown in FIGS. 40 and 41, and accessories such as eyewear or headwear may be edited as shown in FIGS. 45-47. If the user selects a randomization icon 3302, a predetermined or preset emoji may be presented as shown in FIG. 41, 42, 43, or 44. The user may further modify the predetermined emoji.

When playing a recorded or live talk, or participating in a live talk, if the user exits the application's user interface (but does not exit the application), e.g., by hitting the home option of a mobile device, the mobile application may continue to run in the background as shown in FIG. 48. If a live audio conversation is being listened to and the profile of a user 4901 in the live audio conversation is selected to be viewed, a “Live” icon may be displayed next to the user 4901 as shown in FIG. 49, the conversation may be displayed under the “Talks” icon 4902, and/or the audio conversation may be displayed in the bottom section 4903 of the profile page.

If the user experiences network issues such as with an unstable network, the application may display a network error message(s) 5101 and/or 5102. The user may toggle between the conversation mode 312 and listening mode 314. In some embodiments, the conversation mode 312 and listening mode 314 icons are adjacent to each other. In some embodiments, they may located far apart. In some embodiments, a single icon may be provided that, when selected, switches to the conversation mode, if currently in listening mode, and switches to listening mode, if currently in conversation mode.

In an embodiment, a user might not be allowed to simultaneously listen to a talk while talking as shown in FIG. 53. In another embodiment, a user may listen to a live or recorded talk while also talking in a different conversation from the conversation being listened to. In yet another embodiment, a user may only listen to a recorded talk while talking or a user may only listen to a live talk while talking. As discussed before, a user may review the users being followed by selecting the “25 following” icon 5601.

Referring to FIG. 59, if the search icon 302 is selected, search history 5901 may be displayed, e.g., with search results 5902 and 5903. A user may select a “Clear history” icon 5904 to clear the search history. In an embodiment, it may be more likely for a user to be found by other users if the user participates in more talks, e.g., through a talk associated with a hashtag, a date, a length, a number of speakers involved, a speaker, text or hashtags extracted from or associated with the user's prior or live talks, etc.

In an embodiment, when the page of a user 6101 is viewed as shown in FIG. 61 for the first time and no live talk is ongoing (user is in listening mode), one of the past talks such as the talk with name27 6104 may be selected to be played, and a screen as shown in FIG. 62 may be presented that shows users Name09 and Name09test and a playback control bar 6202.

A muted icon 6404 as in FIG. 64 may indicate that a speaker is muted (i.e., the listeners and the other speaker cannot hear the muted speaker). A user (e.g., listener) may record and send an audio message 6501 to a speaker of a live talk while listening to the live talk as shown in FIG. 65. The audio message may be transmitted via an application server as described in this disclosure. In another embodiment, the user may choose to simultaneously send the audio message to more than one speaker of the live talk at once. The audio message may be limited to a predetermined length, e.g., 10 seconds, 15 seconds, etc. In an embodiment, a user may send pre-recorded audio messages, e.g., short audio messages, for most common usages such as greetings, introducing oneself, etc.

The user may send the audio message when the user finishes recording the audio message, e.g., by sliding up a finger on a screen and releasing the finger to send as shown in FIGS. 66a and 66b . When the audio message is received by a speaker, the speaker may select a play option to play the audio. In some embodiments, a speaker may play the audio only once or only a predetermined number of times. The audio is stored with the conversation such that the audio is either integrated into the conversation or stored as a separate file, such that the audio played back during a future playback of the audio conversation. In some embodiments, a listener may comment on the live talk via another method, e.g., using a “like” icon, a smiley, a sticker etc. A user may comment on a historical talk in a similar way. A listener may share a live talk with options 6701 while listening to the talk by selecting a right arrow icon 6407. The user may choose to copy a link for live talk sharing, share the live talk to an instant message application or social media network, or perform another function to share the live talk. The user may also report the live talk, e.g., if the user thinks there is an issue with the live talk.

If a user would like to initiate a talk with one of the speakers, e.g., name 10 in FIG. 67, who is currently on a live talk, the user may select the speaker (e.g., by tapping on the speaker), and then press the “Talk to name10” icon 6801. The user is then added onto a waitlist associated with name10. In some embodiments, a pop up window such as 10301 in FIG. 103 may indicate that the user may choose a speaker to talk to next. When the speaker, in this case name10, is selected, the corresponding emoji may enlarge as shown in FIG. 68, and an icon 6802 for examining the profile of the speaker may be displayed. After selecting the icon to talk to the speaker currently in a live talk, an estimated waiting time 6901 for how long the user may wait before speaking to the speaker may be displayed. This estimated waiting time may be based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, prior conversation durations (or other statistics) associated with one or both speakers in conversations, current conversation duration, number of listeners, number of users on the waitlist, user's position on the waiting list, etc.

The user may choose a “Find a new chat partner” icon 6902, “Continue listening” icon 6903, or “Cancel waiting” icon 6904. If the user cancels waiting, a message 7001 indicating that the waiting will be cancelled may be displayed as shown in FIG. 71. Alternatively, if the user chooses not to cancel waiting, a “Waiting” icon 7101 may be presented as shown in FIG. 71. While waiting in line, the user may tap the “Open profile” icon 7102 to review the speaker's profile. Alternatively or additionally, if the user wishes to talk next to a user that is in a live conversation, instead of selecting a “Talk to name12” icon 10401 as shown in FIG. 104 to initiate a talk with one of the speakers, the “Open Profile” icon 7102 or 10502 of FIG. 105 may be selected, and a “Talk next” icon 10601 may then be selected as shown in FIG. 106.

It should be appreciated that the live talk may continue and a control bar may be displayed at the bottom section 10602 when the profile of name12 is viewed. When the waiting is over or the current conversation ends, the mobile application may transition into the requested conversation, e.g., instantaneously. In some embodiments, the speaker (i.e., name12) may have to actively select an option to speak to the next user on the waitlist. Similarly, the transition from the conversation mode to the listening mode (i.e., for the listener) may be substantially real-time or instantaneous. A user may initiate a talk with a follower or “following” user by tapping a telephone icon 10102 a in FIG. 101a next to the follower. In some embodiments, this telephone icon is available only if both users follow each other. Instead of initiating a talk in real-time or waiting for a user to end a live talk and then starting a talk right after the live talk ends, a user may schedule a talk for a later time with a follower(s), a following user(s), or speaker(s) of a live talk. The follower, following user, or speaker may receive notification associated with the scheduled talk and may have an option to either accept or decline the scheduled talk request.

FIG. 72 or FIG. 77 shows an example screenshot of the mobile application when a user 6001 is conducting a live audio conversation with another user 7202 (i.e., name 19). In this example, a microphone icon at the bottom of the screen indicates the conversation mode, a “Live” icon 7204 indicates an ongoing live talk, a dice icon 7205 allows a user to view “Fact of the day,” and the number of listeners is displayed. With “Fact of the day,” fun facts may be presented in a pop up window 8001 as shown in FIG. 80 to spur discussion between the speakers. In some embodiments, the “Fact of the day” may be replaced with other conversation starting hints. The hints may be based on any user data described herein associated with either of the speakers. Artificial intelligence functions may be used to generate the hints. When a speaker/talker goes out of range or drops out of the audio conversation for another reason, the application may search for a new talker as shown in section 7801 of FIG. 78 and/or reconnect to the talker that is out of range as shown in section 7901 of FIG. 79. In some embodiments, the other talker(s) participating or remaining in the audio conversation (along with the listeners) may be available for new talker(s) to join the conversation when one speaker drops out of the audio conversation.

FIG. 73 shows an example screenshot of the user 6001 in a listening mode 7303 listening to a live conversation between speakers name09 7202 and name19 7301. During this live conversation, when a user (e.g., name31) listening to the live conversation sends an audio message 7401, the speakers, name09 and name19, may decide when to play the audio message, whether to make it public, etc. For example, when to play the audio message may need to be approved by one of name09 and name19 (e.g., if the audio message is directed to or associated with one of respective user) or both name09 and name19 (e.g., if the audio message is directed to or associated with the conversation). The audio message may be played during the live talk, after the live talk ends, or both. In some embodiments, the user who sends the message can select how long the audio message can remain available, how many times it can be played, etc.

The notification icon 8201 may indicate a notification, e.g., with an orange (or other color) dot as shown in FIG. 83. The notification may be for an audio message such as indicated by a pop up window 8401 in FIG. 84. When the audio message is selected and played as in section 8501 of FIG. 85, it may be made available for all listeners and all speakers of the live talk, a selected some of the listeners (e.g., as determined by the speaker to which the audio message is directed and/or as determined by the sender of the audio message) and all the speakers of the live talk, no listeners but only the speakers of the live talk, or no listeners but only certain speaker(s) of the live talk. When a user is waiting to speak to a speaker who may be currently in conversation, the speaker may be presented with a request notification icon 9101 and/or a more detailed notification 9102 (e.g., when the speaker selects 9101) as shown in FIG. 91. When a user is connecting to another user to start an audio conversation, a message indicating the connection is being set up may be displayed as shown in FIG. 92.

When a user signs up for an account for the first time, the user may be asked to provide a phone number as shown in section 9601 of FIG. 96. The user may use a virtual keyboard 9602 to input the phone number. A verification code like the one shown in a box 9701 may be sent to the user's device to verify the provided phone number.

When a user is listening to a talk, a “Tap to go back” icon as shown in FIG. 107 may be selected to go back to a previous screen, or a “Keep listening” icon may be selected to stay on the current screen. A status bar 10801 may indicate if a speaker of a live talk goes offline (e.g., during a conversation) as shown in FIG. 108.

Besides the public audio conversations discussed above, a first user 10101 b may request a private audio conversation with a second user as shown in FIG. 101b . A private audio conversation might not be viewable or searchable for non-participants, e.g., a user other than the first user and the second user. The second user may receive a message indicating that the first user wants to initiate the private audio conversation with the second user. When receiving an approval from the second user in response to the message, the private audio conversation may be initiated between the first user and the second user, e.g., by a server and/or the mobile application implemented on a mobile device of the first user or the second user.

The first user and/or the second user may have the option to switch the private audio conversation to a public audio conversation, e.g., by selecting an icon 10102 c as shown in FIG. 101c . An instruction or request may be received, e.g., at the server, from the first user to switch the private audio conversation to a public audio conversation. The public audio conversation may be audible (and searchable) to at least one user other than the first user and the second user. A message may be transmitted to the second user (from the application server) indicating that the first user wants to switch the private audio conversation to the public audio conversation. A message such as a “Waiting for confirmation” message 10102 d shown in FIG. 101d may be presented to the first user indicating that a request for switching the private audio conversation to the public audio conversation has been sent. When approval is received from the second user in response to the message, the private audio conversation may be switched by the server to the public audio conversation as shown in FIG. 101e . A third user may be enabled to listen to the public audio conversation.

Trending topics such as “Trivia” 11101 or “2020 Election” 11201 may be displayed in the mobile application, e.g., on the home screen of the mobile application. As shown in FIG. 113, a “Random talks” icon 11301 may be presented, e.g., on the home screen, to allow a user to listen to random talks instead of talks resulted from searching the network with keywords. The same trending topics are available when a user is in speaking mode such that a user may either select “Random talks” or may select another one of the trending topics to initiate a conversation with another user. In some embodiments, the trending topics may be determined based on topics trending on other social media platforms or networks, a survey of news sources, length of historical or current conversations for particular topics, number of listeners or listening time for particular topics, etc. Big data computing operations may be used to analyze any of the data described herein and establish the trending topics.

In some embodiments, a first user (e.g., a listener) may execute an operation (e.g., payment operation or other activity or non-payment computing operation) to move up a waitlist to talk to a speaker in the conversation. The payment operation may refer to a monetary payment operation wherein the amount is determined by the mobile application or the application server. In other embodiments, the payment operation may refer to virtual currency payments or points or other achievement levels, which the user can purchase using actual currency or which may be obtained through certain activity on the mobile application (e.g., number of talks previously participated in, total amount of speaking time, total amount of listening time, average amount of time on the mobile application, etc.).

In some embodiments, a user may execute the operation to “talk next” or move up on the waitlist. In some embodiments, such a user may be highlighted (e.g., using an indicator such as color, bold font, icon, etc.) in a waitlist presented to the speaker. In some embodiments such a speaker may be an influencer. A speaker may reach the status of influencer based on user data associated with the speaker (e.g., the number of conversations the speaker has participated in, the total amount of conversation time, the number of followers that the speaker has achieved, etc.). In some embodiments, a user may brand his or her profile (e.g., using a company's logo, product, etc., located adjacent to the user's emoji or the user's emoji is branded with the company's logo, product, promotion, etc., such as the emoji wearing a hat with the company's logo). Such a user may initiate a talk with the speaker (e.g., an influencer speaker) to talk about a product, a promotion associated with a product, the organization of the user, etc. In some embodiments, such a user with an indicator or icon such that the speaker (e.g., an influencer speaker) recognizes this type of user on a speaker waitlist or invite to initiate a conversation. In some embodiments, such a user may have to pay more or execute different computing operations compared to regular users to initiate a conversation with an influencer. In some embodiments, such an advertiser is added to a feed. For example, an advertisement associated with an advertiser is presented when a user (e.g., influencer) browses through other users, or when an advertisers browses through influencers. The browsing may be implemented by swiping (e.g., left or right) across users that are presented on a user interface. Users that are swiped right may be selected for a function, e.g., joining an audio conversation, advertising during an audio conversation, for example. Users that are swiped left may not be selected for the function. Selecting the advertisement may cause a user to link to another application or webpage.

In some embodiments, a user may compete with other users, e.g., in an auction for an opportunity to talk next with the speaker (e.g., an influencer speaker) when the speaker's current conversation ends or when the speaker makes himself or herself available to talk. The auction may be associated with a limited auction period. In some embodiments, only a select number or type of listeners (e.g., listeners who are advertisers) can participate in the auction. In some embodiments, a user may execute a computing operation (e.g., a payment operation using actual or virtual currency, a non-payment operation, etc.) to pay for a minimum or maximum period of talking with the speaker (e.g., an influencer speaker) to talk about the user's product, promotion, etc., a minimum or maximum number of listeners, a minimum of maximum period of listening time associated with one or more listeners, etc. This period of talking with the speaker (e.g., an influencer speaker) may function as an advertisement for the product, promotion, etc. While the speaker (e.g., an influencer speaker) is talking, a live estimate of a gain (e.g., actual currency, virtual currency, etc.) from speaking with the user (e.g., the user conducting the advertisement) may be displayed to the speaker, motivating the speaker to talk longer. This estimate may be based on a number of factors including the type of user (there may be several levels of users), the amount of virtual or currency the user paid to speak with the influencer, the number of listeners, the average listening time per listener, the duration of the conversation, etc. In some embodiments, any features described with respect to a talker or speaker or user may also apply to any influencer talker, influencer speaker, or influencer user. Any parameter, factor, data, or information that is used in one function may also be used in any other function described herein, even if it not explicitly described.

Data on influencers may be displayed on a front-end targeted communication (e.g., advertising) platform with their approximate price per unit time of talking such as second, minute, or hour, their topics of interests (e.g., based on talk history, influencer's self-provided information, or influencer's user data. etc.), data on the users typically listening in to the influencers (e.g., age, location, interests, demographics, any other user data described herein etc.), etc. The platform may also enable determination of influencers that are similar to each other in terms of the profiles of users that typically listen to them, topics that the influencers discuss, location of the influencers, or other user data of the influencers, etc. For example, when a user of the platform looks up a first influencer, a second influencer similar to the first influencer is also is displayed. The platform may enable initiating communication with the influencers to schedule talks with them or begin talks with if they are online or join their waitlist if they are online and currently in conversation. In some embodiments, the platform may also be able browsing influencers that are offline and scheduling talks with the offline influencers (e.g., by sending them an invite for a talk).

FIG. 117 shows an example screenshot of a conversation cube function of the mobile application. In this example, trending topics may be displayed by selecting a trending topics option 11701, and/or various other functions may be displayed by pressing a second button 7201. A user may choose “Pick a topic” option 11702 when joining an audio conversation and/or during an audio conversation. A pop up window 11801 as shown in FIG. 118 may display a “Just Chatting” option 11802 and/or a variety of topics such as an “Election 2020” topic 11803. When a topic is selected, a hint button 11903 as shown in FIG. 119 may allow questions, hints, quotes, and/or other information associated with the selected topic to be displayed to at least one audio conversation participant (e.g., either the participant who selected the option or both participants in the conversation) when the hint option 11903 is selected. One or more these options may allow audio conversation participants to conduct a debate, improvise and/or play games such as word games, trivia games, social games, and role playing. The information associated with the selected topic displayed to multiple audio conversation participants may be the same or different. In some embodiments, the displayed information associated with the selected topic may be extracted from a third-party social network and/or from one or more third-party social network accounts associated with the audio conversation participants. In some embodiments, an option 11902 may allow a user (e.g., a speaker) to play an audio message received from another user (e.g., a speaker or a listener).

In this example, the “Election America 2020” topic 11901 is selected, and questions, hints, quotes, and/or other information associated with “Election America 2020” may be displayed to the at least one audio conversation participant. For example, a short message 12001 posted by SocialNetworkUser1 extracted from a social network (e.g., a third party social network) may be displayed as shown in FIG. 120. In some embodiments, the short message may be text extracted from audio conversations that were conducted on the mobile application. An option 12002 may allow a user to view more information regarding the selected topic and/or a new short message.

FIG. 121 shows an exemplary process flow implemented using the hardware and software described herein. Note that steps of the process flow may be optional and may be performed in a different order from that illustrated in FIG. 121. At step 12102, the method comprises determining, using one or more computing device processors, a first user accesses a mobile application on a first mobile device of the first user. At step 12104, the method comprises determining, using the one or more computing device processors, a second user accesses the mobile application on a second mobile device of the second user. At step 12106, the method comprises selecting, using the one or more computing device processors, the first user and the second user for participating in an audio conversation based on at least first user information associated with the first user and second user information associated with the second user. At step 12108, the method comprises initiating, using the one or more computing device processors, the audio conversation between the first user and the second user, wherein the audio conversation is broadcasted to a third user who accesses the mobile application on a third mobile device of the third user. Any of the processes, functions, techniques, procedures, methods, etc., all of which may be used interchangeably, described herein may be performed using one or more of any systems, devices, servers, etc., described herein. Any of the servers described herein may be cloud servers. In some embodiments, any of the systems, devices, servers, etc., all of which may be used interchangeably, may comprise one or more memory systems comprising instructions for performing any of the processes described herein. In such embodiments, one or more computing device processors may be provided to execute these instructions. In some embodiments, one or more computer program products may be provided. Such computer program products may comprises one or more non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising code for performing any of the processes described herein. In some embodiments, many of the processes described herein are intelligent in that the application server (and mobile application) learn a user's likes or preferences and dislikes based on constant analysis of user data such that, over time, the user is provided with better audio conversations that increase the user's listening time and better speakers that increase the user's talking time.

Referring now to FIGS. 122, 123, and 124, each figure is a front view of a display screen or portion thereof with graphical user interface showing a claimed design. The outermost broken lines in each of these figures show a display screen (e.g., of a mobile device) or portion thereof, and form no part of the claimed design. The other broken lines in each of these figures show portions of the graphical user interface that form no part of the claimed design. What is claimed in each of these figures is the ornamental design for a display screen or portion thereof with graphical user interface, as shown and described. In some embodiments, the broken lines in each of these figures may be converted to solid lines to form part of the claimed design. In other embodiments, the solid lines in each of these figures may be converted to broken lines to form part of the claimed design.

In some embodiments, methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for establishing and broadcasting communication between users. An exemplary method comprises: determining, using one or more computing device processors, a first user accesses a mobile application on a first mobile device of the first user; determining, using the one or more computing device processors, a second user accesses the mobile application on a second mobile device of the second user; selecting, using the one or more computing device processors, the first user and the second user for participating in an audio conversation based on at least first user information associated with the first user and second user information associated with the second user; initiating, using the one or more computing device processors, the audio conversation between the first user and the second user; broadcasting, using the one or more computing device processors, the audio conversation to a third user who accesses the mobile application on a third mobile device of the third user; transmitting, to the third mobile device for visual display, during the audio conversation, on a user interface of the mobile application on the third mobile device, a first visual representation of the first user not comprising a first photographic or video image of the first user; and transmitting, to the third mobile device for visual display, during the audio conversation, on the user interface of the mobile application on the third mobile device, a second visual representation of the second user not comprising a second photographic or video image of the second user.

In some embodiments, the first user information comprises at least one of an interest; the first visual representation; profile information; listening history on the mobile application; speaking history on the mobile application; usage history on the mobile application; a fourth user that follows the first user on the mobile application; third user information associated with the fourth user; a fifth user that the first user follows on the mobile application; fourth user information associated with the fifth user; third-party social network information associated with the first user; search history on the mobile application; search history on a third-party application or website; time spent on the mobile application; duration of at least one previous audio conversation on the mobile application; at least one statistic associated with multiple previous audio conversations on the mobile application; current location; location history; device information associated with the first mobile device; network information associated with the first mobile device; a previous, current, or predicted mood of the first user during a period; a subject, topic, or hashtag that the first user is predicted to be interested in; predicted audio content associated with the audio conversation; predicted conversation duration associated with the audio conversation; predicted number of listeners associated with the audio conversation; an average listening time for one or more listeners associated with one or more current, previous, or future audio conversations involving the first user as a speaker; a listening time statistic or information for the one or more listeners associated with the one or more current, previous, or future audio conversations involving the first user as the speaker; or a speaking time statistic or information for the one or more current, previous, or future audio conversations involving the first user as the speaker.

In some embodiments, the audio conversation is added to a first user profile of the first user and a second user profile of the second user.

In some embodiments, the audio conversation indicates a number of listeners listening to the audio conversation.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises recording the audio conversation.

In some embodiments, the audio conversation is indexed for publication on an audio publication platform.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises extracting a keyword from the audio conversation and associating the keyword with the audio conversation.

In some embodiments, at least one keyword is determined based on analyzing the audio conversation using an artificial intelligence (AI) or big data or deep learning computing operation.

In some embodiments, the first user and the second user are selected based on optimizing a predicted duration of the audio conversation.

In some embodiments, the audio conversation can be continued when the first user accesses, during the audio conversation, a second mobile application on the first mobile device or a home screen of the first mobile device.

In some embodiments, another method comprises determining, using one or more computing device processors, a first user accesses a mobile application on a first mobile device of the first user; initiating, using the one or more computing device processors, a listening mode on the mobile application and searching for audio conversations; determining, using the one or more computing device processors, the first user switches to a conversation mode on the mobile application; stopping, using the one or more computing device processors, the listening mode and searching for users for initiating an audio conversation with the first user; selecting, using the one or more computing device processors, based on first user information associated with the first user and second user information associated with a second user, the second user and initiating the audio conversation involving the first user and the second user; and enabling, using the one or more computing device processors, a third user to listen to the audio conversation on the second mobile device of the third user, wherein the second user is selected based on first user information associated with the first user and second user information associated with the second user, wherein a first visual representation of the first user is presented on a user interface of the second mobile device during the audio conversation, and wherein a second visual representation of the second user is presented on the user interface of the second mobile device during the audio conversation.

In some embodiments, the searching for users is conducted based on a location parameter selected or input by the first user on the mobile application.

In some embodiments, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises one or more computing device processors; and one or more memory systems comprising code, executable by the one or more computing device processors, and configured to: determine a first user accesses a mobile application on a first mobile device of the first user; determine a second user accesses the mobile application on a second mobile device of the second user; select the first user and the second user for participating in an audio conversation based on at least first user information associated with the first user and second user information associated with the second user; initiate the audio conversation between the first user and the second user; broadcast the audio conversation to a third user who accesses the mobile application on a third mobile device of the third user; transmit, to the third mobile device for visual display, during the audio conversation, on a user interface of the mobile application on the third mobile device, a first visual representation of the first user not comprising a first photographic or video image of the first user; and transmit, to the third mobile device for visual display, during the audio conversation, on the user interface of the mobile application on the third mobile device, a second visual representation of the second user not comprising a second photographic or video image of the second user.

In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises at least one of an application server, the first mobile device, the second mobile device, or the third mobile device.

In some embodiments, the audio conversation is searchable, using an audio or text query, based on at least one of user information associated with at least one of the first user or the second user, or based on content of the audio conversation.

In some embodiments, the audio conversation is sharable with a social network outside the mobile application.

In some embodiments, the audio conversation can be continued when the first user accesses a non-conversation function in the mobile application.

In some embodiments, the audio conversation is terminated when the first user switches to a listening mode in the mobile application.

In some embodiments, a listening mode in the mobile application cannot be initiated or executed simultaneously with a conversation mode in the mobile application.

In some embodiments, the code is further configured to provide an option to the first user to substantially instantaneously switch from the audio conversation with the second user to a second audio conversation with a fourth user.

In some embodiments, the first user cannot view user profile information associated with one or more users listening to the audio conversation, or wherein a first listener cannot view listener profile information associated with a second listener listening to the audio conversation.

In some embodiments, the code is further configured to select the first user and the second user for participating in an audio conversation based on at least partially matching the first user information associated with the first user and the second user information associated with the second user.

In some embodiments, the visual representation comprises at least one of an avatar, an emoji, a symbol, a persona, an animation, a cartoon, an indicia, an illustration, a histogram, or a graph.

In some embodiments, at least a portion of the first visual representation on the user interface of the mobile application on the third mobile device changes shape or form when the first user speaks during the audio conversation; and wherein the at least the portion of the first visual representation on the user interface of the mobile application on the third mobile device does not change shape or form when the first user does not speak during the audio conversation, or wherein the at least the portion of the first visual representation on the user interface of the mobile application on the third mobile device does not change shape or form when the second user speaks during the audio conversation.

In some embodiments, the first visual representation comprises a facial representation.

In some embodiments, the at least the portion of the first visual representation comprises a lip or a mouth.

In some embodiments, at least a portion of the first visual representation on the user interface of the mobile application on the third mobile device moves when the first user speaks during the audio conversation; and wherein the at least the portion of the first visual representation on the user interface of the mobile application on the third mobile device does not move when the first user does not speak during the audio conversation, or wherein the at least the portion of the first visual representation on the user interface of the mobile application on the third mobile device does not move when the second user speaks during the audio conversation.

In some embodiments, the first visual representation on the user interface of the mobile application on the third mobile device is dynamically modifiable by the first user during the audio conversation.

In some embodiments, any visual representation described herein may comprise a still image or video of the user associated with the visual representation. Therefore, any audio conversation may refer to an audio and still image/video conversation, in some embodiments. In other embodiments, any audio conversation may be an audio-visual conversation, wherein the visual portion of the conversation comprises visual representations of the users in the conversation being presented on a user interface. In some embodiments, an audio conversation may comprise an audio-only conversation, without images, visuals, video, etc.

In some embodiments, the first user information comprises static user information, wherein the static user information does not substantially change during a period, and dynamic user information, wherein the dynamic user information partially or substantially changes during the period. A period may be a period of a minutes, hours, days, etc. The dynamic user information may be determined by one or more AI operations, big data operations, or machine learning operations.

In some embodiments, the first user information comprises a previous, current, or predicted mood (e.g., based on analysis of the first user's audio content) of the first user during one or more previous, current, or future audio conversations involving the first user, and wherein the second user information comprises a previous, current, or predicted mood of the second user during the one or more previous, current, or future audio conversations involving the second user.

In some embodiments, the first user information comprises a first average listening time, for one or more listeners, for one or more previous, current, or future audio conversations involving the first user as a first speaker during a first period, and wherein the second user information comprises a second average listening time, for the one or more listeners, for one or more previous, current, or future audio conversations involving the second user as a second speaker during a first period or a second period.

In some embodiments, the first user and the second user are selected based on comparing the first average listening time with the second average listening time, or based on comparing the first average listening time and the second average listening time with one or more average listening times, for the one or more listeners, associated with other users available as speakers for the audio conversation.

In some embodiments, the first user has a first higher or highest average listening time, for the one or more listeners, as the first speaker compared to one or more other users available as speakers for the audio conversation, and wherein the second user has a second higher or highest average listening time, for the one or more listeners, as the second speaker compared to the one or more other users available as the speakers for the audio conversation.

In some embodiments, the first user information comprises a first listening time statistic or information, associated with one or more listeners, for one or more previous, current, or future audio conversations involving the first user as a first speaker during a first period, and wherein the second user information comprises a second listening time statistic or information, associated with the one or more listeners, for one or more previous, current, or future audio conversations involving the second user as a second speaker during a first period or a second period.

In some embodiments, the first user and the second user are selected based on comparing the first listening time statistic or information with the second listening time statistic or information, or based on comparing the first listening time statistic or information and the second listening time statistic or information with one or more third listening time statistics or information, associated with the one or more listeners, associated with other users available as speakers for the audio conversation.

In some embodiments, the first user has a first better or best listening time statistic or information, for the one or more listeners, as the first speaker compared to one or more other users available as speakers for the audio conversation, and wherein the second user has a second better or best listening time statistic or information, for the one or more listeners, as the second speaker compared to the one or more other users available as the speakers for the audio conversation.

In some embodiments, methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for selecting and initiating playing of audio conversations. An exemplary method comprises: determining, using one or more computing device processors, a first user accesses a mobile application on a mobile device associated with the first user; selecting, using the one or more computing device processors, an audio conversation for the first user, wherein the audio conversation involves at least a second user, wherein the audio conversation is selected for the first user based on at least one of first user information associated with the first user, second user information associated with the second user, or conversation information associated with the audio conversation; initiating playing of, using the one or more computing device processors, the audio conversation on the mobile application on the mobile device; and transmitting, using the one or more computing device processors, to mobile device for visual display, during the playing of the audio conversation, on a user interface of the mobile application on the second mobile device, a first visual representation of the at least the second user not comprising a first photographic or video image of the second user.

In some embodiments, the first user information comprises at least one of an interest associated with the first user; a second visual representation associated with the first user; profile information associated with the first user; listening history, associated with the first user, on the mobile application; speaking history, associated with the first user, on the mobile application; usage history, associated with the first user, on the mobile application; a fourth user that follows the first user on the mobile application; third user information associated with the fourth user; a fifth user that the first user follows on the mobile application; fourth user information associated with the fifth user; third-party social network information associated with the first user; search history, associated with the first user, on the mobile application; search history, associated with the first user, on a third-party application or website; time spent on the mobile application by the first user; duration of at least one previous audio conversation, associated with the first user, on the mobile application; at least one statistic associated with multiple previous audio conversations, associated with the first user, on the mobile application; current location associated with the first user; location history associated with the first user; device information associated with the mobile device; network information associated with the mobile device; a previous, current, or predicted mood of the first user during a period; an average listening time for one or more listeners associated with one or more current, previous, or future audio conversations involving the first user as a speaker; a listening time statistic or information for the one or more listeners associated with the one or more current, previous, or future audio conversations involving the first user as the speaker; a speaking time statistic or information for the one or more current, previous, or future audio conversations involving the first user as the speaker; or a subject, topic, or hashtag that the first user is predicted to be interested in.

In some embodiments, the conversation information comprises at least one of: user information associated with the second user; a topic, subject, or hashtag associated with the audio conversation; location information associated with the audio conversation; user information or location information associated with at least one listener who is listening to or has listened to the conversation; number of current listeners associated with the audio conversation; current duration of the audio conversation; waitlist information associated with the audio conversation; followers associated with the second user; users followed by the second user; an audio message transmitted to the second user during the audio conversation; an average listening time associated with one or more previous or current listeners in the audio conversation; a listening time statistic or information associated with the one or more previous or current listeners in the audio conversation; a speaking time statistic or information associated with the one or more previous or current speakers in the audio conversation; predicted audio content associated with a remaining portion of the audio conversation; predicted conversation duration associated with the remaining portion of the audio conversation; and predicted number or location of listeners associated with the remaining portion of the audio conversation.

In some embodiments, the audio conversation for the first user based on at least partially matching the first user information with at least one of the second user information or the conversation information.

In some embodiments, the audio conversation based on at least one parameter input by the first user.

In some embodiments, the at least one parameter comprises a topic, subject, or hashtag.

In some embodiments, the at least one parameter is selected from multiple parameters available for selection in the mobile application.

In some embodiments, the multiple parameters are extracted from an external social network.

In some embodiments, the least one parameter comprises location information.

In some embodiments, the audio conversation is added to a first user profile of the first user.

In some embodiments, the audio conversation comprises a live audio conversation.

In some embodiments, the audio conversation comprises a recorded audio conversation.

In some embodiments, the user interface indicates a number of listeners listening to the audio conversation.

In some embodiments, the audio conversation based on optimizing a listening time, associated with the audio conversation, for the first user.

In some embodiments, an apparatus is provided for selecting and initiating playing of audio conversations. The apparatus comprises one or more computing device processors; one or more memory systems comprising code, executable by the one or more computing device processors, and configured to: determine a first user accesses a mobile application on a mobile device associated with the first user; select an audio conversation for the first user, wherein the audio conversation involves at least a second user, wherein the audio conversation is selected for the first user based on at least one of first user information associated with the first user, second user information associated with the second user, or conversation information associated with the audio conversation; initiate playing of the audio conversation on the mobile application on the mobile device; and transmit, to mobile device for visual display, during the playing of the audio conversation, on a user interface of the mobile application on the second mobile device, a first visual representation of the at least the second user not comprising a first photographic or video image of the second user.

In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises at least one of an application server or the mobile device.

In some embodiments, the first user cannot converse, in substantially real-time, with the second user.

In some embodiments, the code is further configured to provide an option to the first user to substantially instantaneously switch from listening to the audio conversation involving the second user to initiating a second audio conversation with a third user.

In some embodiments, the code is further configured to provide an option to the first user to substantially instantaneously switch from the audio conversation involving the second user to a second audio conversation involving a third user.

In some embodiments, a number of listeners listening to the audio conversation is presented on the user interface of the mobile application on the second mobile device, and wherein the first user cannot view listener user information associated with a listener of the audio conversation.

In some embodiments, the first visual representation comprises at least one of an avatar, an emoji, a symbol, a persona, an animation, a cartoon, an indicia, an illustration, a histogram, or a graph.

In some embodiments, at least a portion of the first visual representation on the user interface of the mobile application on the second mobile device changes shape or form when the second user speaks during the audio conversation, and wherein the at least the portion of the first visual representation on the user interface of the mobile application on the second mobile device does not change shape or form when the second user does not speak during the audio conversation.

In some embodiments, the first visual representation comprises a facial representation.

In some embodiments, the at least the portion of the first visual representation comprises a lip or a mouth.

In some embodiments, the second user information comprises an average listening time, for one or more listeners, for one or more previous, current, or future audio conversations involving the second user as a speaker during a first period.

In some embodiments, the second user information comprises a listening time statistic or information, for one or more listeners, for one or more previous, current, or future audio conversations involving the second user as a speaker during a first period, or a speaking time statistic or information for the one or more previous, current, or future audio conversations involving the second user as a speaker during the first period.

In some embodiments, methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for generating visual representations for use in communication between users. An exemplary method comprises: receiving, using one or more computing device processors, user information associated with a first user; receiving, using the one or more computing device processors, visual representation information input by the first user, wherein the visual representation information comprises a first facial feature, and wherein the visual representation information further comprises a second facial feature distinct from the first facial feature; generating, using the one or more computing device processors, a visual representation based on the visual representation information, wherein the generating comprises combining the first facial feature and the second facial feature; wherein the visual representation is presented to a second user during an audio conversation between the first user and a second user, wherein at least one of the first facial feature or the second facial feature constantly changes form when the first user speaks during the audio conversation, and wherein both the first facial feature and the second facial feature remain static when the second user speaks during the audio conversation; and generating, using the one or more computing device processors, a user profile for the first user, wherein the user profile is accessible to the second user, and wherein the user profile comprises the visual representation.

In some embodiments, the visual representation does not comprise a video image or still image of the first user.

In some embodiments, the first facial feature or the second facial feature comprises at least one of a head, a lip, a mouth, eyes, an ear, a nose, and hair.

In some embodiments, the first facial feature or the second facial feature comprises at least one of headgear, glasses, or an accessory.

In some embodiments, the first user is added to a list of followers comprised in a second user profile of the second user.

In some embodiments, the user profile comprises a list of following users added by the first user.

In some embodiments, the first user can establish a private call with a following user based on the following user also adding the first user to a second list of following users associated with the following user.

In some embodiments, the audio conversation is added to the user profile either during or after conclusion of the audio conversation, and wherein the user profile comprises an option to play the audio conversation.

In some embodiments, the user profile comprises a list of conversations that the first user has participated in, is currently participating in, has previously listened to, or is currently listening to.

In some embodiments, the user profile presents an option to share the audio conversation with a third user on a mobile application on which the audio conversation is conducted, or with an external social network.

In some embodiments, the form associated with the first facial feature or the second facial feature comprises a shape or a size.

In some embodiments, the visual representation comprises at least one of an avatar, an emoji, a symbol, a persona, an animation, a cartoon, an indicia, or an illustration.

In some embodiments, the user profile comprises a suggested audio conversation to listen to or a suggested user to follow.

In some embodiments, the first user can edit the user profile on a mobile application while conducting the audio conversation on the mobile application or while listening to a second audio conversation on the mobile application.

In some embodiments, an apparatus is provided for generating visual representations for use in audio conversations. The apparatus comprises one or more computing device processors; one or more memory systems comprising code, executable by the one or more computing device processors, and configured to: receive user information associated with a first user; receive visual representation information input by the first user, wherein the visual representation information comprises a first feature, wherein the visual representation information further comprises a second feature distinct from the first feature, and wherein the first feature comprises a facial feature; generate a visual representation based on the visual representation information, wherein the visual representation is presented to a second user during an audio conversation between the first user and a second user, wherein at least one of the first feature or the second feature changes form when the first user speaks during the audio conversation, wherein both the first feature and the second feature remain static when the second user speaks during the audio conversation, wherein the visual representation does not comprise a video image or still image of the first user, and wherein the visual representation associated with the first user is presented to a third user listening to the audio conversation.

In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises at least one of an application server or a mobile device.

In some embodiments, methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for generating visual representations for use in communication between users. The method comprises receiving, using one or more computing device processors, user information associated with a first user; receiving, using the one or more computing device processors, visual representation information input by the first user, wherein the visual representation information comprises a first feature, wherein the visual representation information further comprises a second feature distinct from the first feature, and wherein the first feature comprises a facial feature; and generating, using the one or more computing device processors, a visual representation based on the visual representation information, wherein the visual representation is presented to a second user during an audio conversation between the first user and a second user, wherein at least one of the first feature or the second feature moves when the first user speaks during the audio conversation, and wherein both the first feature and the second feature remain unmoved when the second user speaks during the audio conversation, wherein the visual representation does not comprise a video image or still image of the first user, and wherein the visual representation associated with the first user is presented to a third user listening to the audio conversation.

In some embodiments, the visual representation comprises at least one of an avatar, an emoji, a symbol, a persona, an animation, a cartoon, an indicia, or an illustration, or further comprising associating the visual representation with a user profile of the first user.

In some embodiments, the facial feature comprises a lip, and wherein the lip tracks speech of the first user during the audio conversation.

In some embodiments, an option to generate a second visual representation for the first user based on automatically selected features.

In some embodiments, the visual representation comprises a video image or still image of the first user.

In some embodiments, methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for handling audio messages received during audio conversations. An exemplary method comprises: determining, using one or more computing device processors, a first user accesses a mobile application on a first mobile device of the first user; broadcasting, using the one or more computing device processors, on the mobile application, to the first user, an audio conversation involving a second user and a third user conducted via the mobile application, wherein the second user accesses the mobile application on a second mobile device of the second user, and wherein the third user accesses the mobile application on a third mobile device of the third user; receiving, using the one or more computing device processors, a first audio message from the first user during the audio conversation involving the second user and the third user, wherein the first audio message is associated with or directed to at least one of the second user or the third user; initiating, using the one or more computing device processors, storage of the first audio message, wherein an option to play the first audio message is displayed on a first user interface, associated with the mobile application, of the at least one of the second mobile device of the second user or the third mobile device of the third user; and broadcasting, using the one or more computing device processors, the first audio message during the audio conversation, in response to receiving selection of the option to play the first audio message by the at least one of the second user or the third user, to the first user, the second user, the third user, and a fourth user accessing the mobile application on a fourth mobile device of the fourth user.

In some embodiments, when the first audio message is played is determined by the at least one of the second user or the third user.

In some embodiments, at least one of a first visual representation of the second user not comprising a first photographic or video image of the second user, a second visual representation of the third user not comprising a second photographic or video image of the third user, is displayed on a user interface, associated with the mobile application, of the fourth mobile device of the fourth user during the broadcasting of the audio conversation involving the second user and the third user.

In some embodiments, at least a portion of the first visual representation of the second user dynamically changes form, in substantially real-time, when the second user speaks during the audio conversation, and wherein the at least the portion of the first visual representation of the first user remains substantially static when the first user does not speak during the audio conversation.

In some embodiments, when the first audio message is played during the audio conversation is determined by both the second user and the third user.

In some embodiments, when the first audio message is played during the audio conversation is determined by only one of the second user and the third user.

In some embodiments, the first audio message is less than or equal to a maximum duration established by the mobile application.

In some embodiments, an indicator or a status associated with the first audio message is presented on a user interface on the mobile application on a fourth mobile device of the fourth user listening to the audio conversation.

In some embodiments, the status indicates whether the first audio message has been played or is yet to be played.

In some embodiments, the status indicates user information associated with the first user.

In some embodiments, an indicator associated with the first audio message is based on a category or type of the first user, and wherein the indicator is displayed on a user interface of the mobile application on the at least one of the second mobile device or the third mobile device.

In some embodiments, user information associated with the first audio message is accessible by at least one of the second user, the third user, or the fourth user.

In some embodiments, user information associated with the first audio message is accessible by the at least one of the second user or the third user, and is not accessible by the fourth user.

In some embodiments, the at least one of the second user or the third user comprises an influencer, wherein the influencer has equal to or greater than a minimum number of followers.

In some embodiments, the first audio message is added to an audio message waitlist associated with at least one of the second user or the third user, and wherein audio messages from the audio message waitlist are played as determined by the at least one of the second user or the third user.

In some embodiments, an indicator, or position in an audio message waitlist, associated with the first audio message, presented on a user interface of the mobile application on at least one of the second mobile device or the third mobile device, is based on a category or type of the first user.

In some embodiments, the first user executes a computing operation on the mobile application to achieve a certain category or type.

In some embodiments, the first audio message is searchable using an audio or text query.

In some embodiments, a second audio message received by the at least one of the second user or the third user is playable privately by the at least one of the second user or the third user, without being broadcasted to the fourth user.

In some embodiments, analyzing the audio message and extracting at least one of text, keyword, hashtag, or user information; or blocking or highlighting the audio message based on content of the audio message.

In some embodiments, a method comprises: determining, using one or more computing device processors, a first user accesses a mobile application on a first mobile device of the first user; broadcasting, using the one or more computing device processors, on the mobile application, to the first user, an audio conversation involving a second user and a third user conducted via the mobile application, wherein the second user accesses the mobile application on a second mobile device of the second user, and wherein the third user accesses the mobile application on a third mobile device of the third user; receiving, using the one or more computing device processors, a call request from the first user during the audio conversation involving the second user and the third user, wherein the call request is associated with at least one of the second user or the third user; in response to receiving acceptance of the call request by the at least one of the second user or the third user, adding, using the one or more computing device processors, the first user to the audio conversation such that that the first user can speak to, in substantially real-time, the at least one of the second user or the third user; broadcasting, using the one or more computing device processors, the audio conversation involving the first user, the second user, and the third user to a fourth user accessing the mobile application on a fourth mobile device of the fourth user, wherein at least one of a first visual representation of the first user not comprising a first photographic or video image of the first user, a second visual representation of the second user not comprising a second photographic or video image of the second user, or a third visual representation of the third user not comprising a third photographic or video image of the third user, is displayed on a user interface, associated with the mobile application, of the fourth mobile device of the fourth user during the broadcasting of the audio conversation involving the first user, the second user, and the third user, and wherein at least a portion of the first visual representation of the first user dynamically changes form, in substantially real-time, when the first user speaks during the audio conversation, and wherein the at least the portion of the first visual representation of the first user remains substantially static when the second user or the third user speaks during the audio conversation. In some embodiments, the call may be an audio-video call or audio-still image call. In some embodiments, the call may be an audio-visual call. In some embodiments, the call may be an audio-only call.

In some embodiments, an apparatus for handling audio messages received during audio conversations, the apparatus comprises one or more computing device processors; one or more memory systems comprising code, executable by the one or more computing device processors, and configured to: determine a first user accesses a mobile application on a first mobile device of the first user; broadcast, on the mobile application, to the first user, an audio conversation involving a second user and a third user conducted via the mobile application, wherein the second user accesses the mobile application on a second mobile device of the second user, and wherein the third user accesses the mobile application on a third mobile device of the third user; receive a first audio message from the first user during the audio conversation involving the second user and the third user, wherein the first audio message is associated with at least one of the second user or the third user; initiate storage of the first audio message, wherein an option to play the first audio message is displayed on a first user interface, associated with the mobile application, of the at least one of the second mobile device of the second user or the third mobile device of the third user; and broadcast the first audio message during the audio conversation, in response to receiving selection of the option to play the first audio message by the at least one of the second user or the third user, to the at least one of the first user, the second user, the third user, and a fourth user accessing the mobile application on a fourth mobile device of the fourth user.

In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises at least one of an application server or at least one of the first mobile device, the second mobile device, the third mobile device, or the fourth mobile device.

In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises a buffer for storing the first audio message.

In some embodiments, the first audio message is playable after termination of the audio conversation, or wherein the first audio message is stored or saved separately from the audio conversation.

In some embodiments, the first audio message comprises a first audio-video message.

In some embodiments, playback of the first audio message is saved during recording of the audio conversation such that the first audio message is played during future playback of the audio conversation on the mobile application by a fifth user.

In some embodiments, the first visual representation comprises at least one of an avatar, an emoji, a symbol, a persona, an animation, a cartoon, an indicia, an illustration, a histogram, or a graph.

In some embodiments, the at least the portion of the first visual representation comprises a lip or a mouth.

In some embodiments, methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for handling dropping of users during audio conversations. An exemplary method comprises: determining, using one or more computing device processors, a first user accesses a mobile application on a first mobile device of the first user; determining, using the one or more computing device processors, a second user accesses the mobile application on a second mobile device of the second user; establishing, using the one or more computing device processors, on the mobile application, an audio conversation between the first user and the second user; broadcasting, using the one or more computing device processors, the audio conversation to a third user who accesses the mobile application on a third mobile device of the third user; transmitting, using the one or more computing device processors, to the third mobile device for visual display, during the audio conversation, on a user interface of the mobile application on the third mobile device, a first visual representation of the first user not comprising a first photographic or video image of the first user; and transmitting, using the one or more computing device processors, to the third mobile device for visual display, during the audio conversation, on the user interface of the mobile application on the third mobile device, a second visual representation of the second user not comprising a second photographic or video image of the second user; determining, using the one or more computing device processors, the second user drops out of the audio conversation; initiating, using the one or more computing device processors, removal of the second visual representation of the second user from the user interface of the mobile application on the third mobile device; adding, using the one or more computing device processors, a fourth user to the audio conversation; broadcasting, using the one or more computing device processors, on the mobile application, to a third mobile device of a third user, the audio conversation involving the first user and the fourth user; and transmitting, using the one or more computing device processors, to the third mobile device for visual display, during the audio conversation, on the user interface of the mobile application on the third mobile device, a third visual representation of the fourth user not comprising a third photographic or video image of the fourth user.

In some embodiments, the adding the fourth user to the audio conversation comprises: searching for the fourth user to add to the audio conversation; and selecting the fourth user based on at least one of first user information associated with the first user, second user information associated with the second user, third user information associated with the fourth user, or conversation information associated with the conversation.

In some embodiments, the first user information comprises at least one of an interest associated with the first user; the first visual representation; profile information associated with the first user; listening history, associated with the first user, on the mobile application; speaking history, associated with the first user, on the mobile application; usage history, associated with the first user, on the mobile application; a fourth user that follows the first user on the mobile application; third user information associated with the fourth user; a fifth user that the first user follows on the mobile application; fourth user information associated with the fifth user; third-party social network information associated with the first user; search history, associated with the first user, on the mobile application; search history, associated with the first user, on a third-party application or website; time spent by the first user on the mobile application; duration of at least one previous audio conversation, associated with the first user, on the mobile application; at least one statistic associated with multiple previous audio conversations, associated with the first user, on the mobile application; current location associated with the first user; location history associated with the first user; device information associated with the first mobile device; network information associated with the first mobile device; an average listening time for one or more listeners associated with one or more current, previous, or future audio conversations involving the first user as a speaker; a listening time statistic or information for the one or more listeners associated with the one or more current, previous, or future audio conversations involving the first user as the speaker; a speaking time statistic or information for the one or more current, previous, or future audio conversations involving the first user as the speaker; or a previous, current, or predicted mood of the first user during a period.

In some embodiments, selecting the fourth user comprises at least partially matching the second user information with at least one of the first user information or the conversation information.

In some embodiments, the conversation information comprises at least one of: user information associated with the second user; a topic, subject, or hashtag associated with the audio conversation; location information associated with the audio conversation; user information or location information associated with at least one listener who is listening to or has listened to the conversation; number of current listeners associated with the audio conversation; current duration of the audio conversation; waitlist information associated with the audio conversation; followers associated with the second user; users followed by the second user; an audio message transmitted to the first user or the second user during the audio conversation; predicted audio content associated with a remaining portion of the audio conversation; predicted conversation duration associated with the remaining portion of the audio conversation; and predicted number or location of listeners associated with the remaining portion of the audio conversation.

In some embodiments, when searching for the fourth user, a message or graphic is presented on the user interface of the mobile application on the third mobile device indicating that the searching for the fourth user is being executed.

In some embodiments, when searching for the fourth user, the first user can continue to speak.

In some embodiments, the searching is conducted for a predetermined period or until the fourth user is determined.

In some embodiments, the fourth user is comprised in a waitlist associated with at least one of the first user or the audio conversation.

In some embodiments, the fourth user is selected by the first user.

In some embodiments, the visual representation of the first user is maintained on the user interface of the mobile application on the third mobile device when the second user drops out of the audio conversation.

In some embodiments, the second user drops out of the audio conversation when at least one of: the second user exits the audio conversation on the mobile application on the second mobile device, the second user switches to a second audio conversation on the mobile application on the second mobile device, the second user switches to listening mode on the mobile application on the second mobile device, the second user exits the mobile application on the second mobile device, or the second user is removed from the audio conversation based on a statement or word stated by the second user during the audio conversation.

In some embodiments, an apparatus for handling no longer present in audio conversations, the apparatus comprises one or more computing device processors; one or more memory systems comprising code, executable by the one or more computing device processors, and configured to: determine a first user accesses a mobile application on a first mobile device of the first user; determine a second user accesses the mobile application on a second mobile device of the second user; establish, on the mobile application, an audio conversation between the first user and the second user; broadcast the audio conversation to a third user who accesses the mobile application on a third mobile device of the third user; transmit, to the third mobile device for visual display, during the audio conversation, on a user interface of the mobile application on the third mobile device, a first visual representation of the first user not comprising a first photographic or video image of the first user; and transmit, to the third mobile device for visual display, during the audio conversation, on the user interface of the mobile application on the third mobile device, a second visual representation of the second user not comprising a second photographic or video image of the second user; determine the second user is no longer present in the audio conversation; and initiate removal of the second visual representation of the second user from the user interface of the application on the third mobile device; search for a new user for adding to the audio conversation.

In some embodiments, the code is further configured to search for the new user based on a parameter input by the first user.

In some embodiments, the code is further configured to terminate the audio conversation in response to not finding the new user in a predetermined period.

In some embodiments, the first user can continue to speak in response to not finding the new user in a predetermined period.

In some embodiments, a method for handling users no longer present in audio conversations, the method comprises: determining, using one or more computing device processors, a first user accesses a mobile application on a first mobile device of the first user; determining, using the one or more computing device processors, a second user accesses the mobile application on a second mobile device of the second user; establishing, using the one or more computing device processors, on the mobile application, an audio conversation between the first user and the second user; broadcasting, using the one or more computing device processors, the audio conversation to a third user who accesses the mobile application on a third mobile device of the third user; transmitting, using the one or more computing device processors, to the third mobile device for visual display, during the audio conversation, on a user interface of the mobile application on the third mobile device, a first visual representation of the first user not comprising a first photographic or video image of the first user; and transmitting, using the one or more computing device processors, to the third mobile device for visual display, during the audio conversation, on the user interface of the mobile application on the third mobile device, a second visual representation of the second user not comprising a second photographic or video image of the second user; determining, using the one or more computing device processors, the second user is no longer present in the audio conversation, wherein the second visual representation of the second user is removed from the user interface of the mobile application on the third mobile device when the second user is no longer present in the audio conversation; and searching, using the one or more computing device processors, for a new user to add to the audio conversation.

In some embodiments, the user interface of the mobile application on the third mobile device indicates a number of listeners listening to the audio conversation.

In some embodiments, the first visual representation comprises at least one of an avatar, an emoji, a symbol, a persona, an animation, a cartoon, an indicia, an illustration, a histogram, or a graph.

In some embodiments, reconnecting the second user to the audio conversation either automatically or in response to receiving a request from the second user to reconnect to the audio conversation; and in response to reconnecting the second user to the audio conversation, stopping the searching for the new user.

In some embodiments, at least a portion of the first visual representation on the user interface of the mobile application on the third mobile device changes shape or form when the first user speaks during the audio conversation, and wherein the at least the portion of the first visual representation on the user interface of the mobile application on the third mobile device does not change shape or form when the first user does not speak during the audio conversation.

In some embodiments, the first visual representation comprises a facial representation.

In some embodiments, the at least the portion of the first visual representation comprises a lip or a mouth.

In some embodiments, methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for handling waitlists associated with users during audio conversations. In some embodiments, a method is provided for handling waitlists associated with users during audio conversations, the method comprises: determining, using one or more computing device processors, a first user accesses a mobile application on a first mobile device of the first user; broadcasting, using the one or more computing device processors, on the mobile application, to the first user, a first audio conversation involving a second user and a third user, wherein the second user accesses the mobile application on a second mobile device of the second user, and wherein the third user accesses the mobile application on a third mobile device of the third user; receiving, using the one or more computing device processors, a request from the first user, listening to the first audio conversation involving the second user and the third user, to join a waitlist associated with the second user or the first audio conversation; adding, using the one or more computing device processors, the first user to the waitlist associated with the second user or the first audio conversation; enabling, using the one or more computing device processors, the second user to view the waitlist; and initiating, using the one or more computing device processors, a second audio conversation between the second user and a next user on the waitlist upon termination of the first audio conversation.

In some embodiments, the method comprises generating the waitlist associated with the second user or the first audio conversation.

In some embodiments, at least one of a first visual representation of the second user not comprising a first photographic or video image of the second user, a second visual representation of the third user not comprising a second photographic or video image of the third user, is displayed on a user interface, associated with the mobile application, of the first mobile device of the first user during the broadcasting of the audio conversation involving the second user and the third user.

In some embodiments, at least a portion of the first visual representation of the second user dynamically changes form, in substantially real-time, when the second user speaks during the audio conversation, and wherein the at least the portion of the first visual representation of the first user remains substantially static when the second user does not speak during the audio conversation.

In some embodiments, the first visual representation comprises at least one of an avatar, an emoji, a symbol, a persona, an animation, a cartoon, an indicia, or an illustration.

In some embodiments, user information associated with one or more users on the waitlist is viewable to the second user.

In some embodiments, information associated with the waitlist is not viewable to a fourth user listening to the first audio conversation on a fourth mobile device.

In some embodiments, the information comprises a number of users on the waitlist or user information associated with one or more users on the waitlist.

In some embodiments, information associated with the waitlist is viewable to a fourth user listening to the first audio conversation.

In some embodiments, an audio message from the first user is received by the second user during the first audio conversation such that the audio message is playable by the second user during the first audio conversation.

In some embodiments, the second audio conversation is automatically initiated upon the termination of the first audio conversation, or wherein the second audio conversation is initiated upon receiving approval from the second user to initiate the second audio conversation.

In some embodiments, the second user can modify the waitlist such that the second user can delete a fourth user from the waitlist or add a fifth user to the waitlist.

In some embodiments, the next user on the waitlist is the first user.

In some embodiments, the first user executed a computing operation on the mobile application to become the next user.

In some embodiments, an indicator is provided to the second user indicating that the first user executed the computing operation.

In some embodiments, the indicator is provided in the waitlist such that the indicator is viewable by the second user.

In some embodiments, a fourth user executed a computing operation on the mobile application to obtain a higher position in the waitlist compared to a current position of the fourth user in the waitlist.

In some embodiments, an apparatus for handling waitlists associated with users during audio conversations, the apparatus comprises one or more computing device processors; one or more memory systems comprising code, executable by the one or more computing device processors, and configured to: determine a first user accesses a mobile application on a first mobile device of the first user; broadcast, on the mobile application, to the first user, a first audio conversation involving a second user and a third user, wherein the second user accesses the mobile application on a second mobile device of the second user, and wherein the third user accesses the mobile application on a third mobile device of the third user; receive a request from the first user, listening to the first audio conversation involving the second user and the third user, to join a waitlist associated with at least one of the second user, the third user, or the first audio conversation; add the first user to the waitlist associated with the at least one of the second user, the third user, or the first audio conversation; enable the at least one of the second user or the third user to view the waitlist; and initiate a second audio conversation between or among the at least one of the second user or the third user, and a user on the waitlist, upon termination of the first audio conversation.

In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises at least one of an application server and at least one of the first mobile device, second mobile device, or the third mobile device.

In some embodiments, a method for handling waitlists associated with users during audio conversations, the method comprising: determining, using one or more computing device processors, a first user accesses a mobile application on a first mobile device of the first user; broadcasting, using the one or more computing device processors, on the mobile application, to the first user, a first audio conversation involving a second user and a third user, wherein the second user accesses the mobile application on a second mobile device of the second user, and wherein the third user accesses the mobile application on a third mobile device of the third user; receiving, using one or more computing device processors, a request from the first user, listening to the first audio conversation involving the second user and the third user, to join a waitlist associated with at least one of the second user, the third user, or the first audio conversation; adding, using the one or more computing device processors, the first user to the waitlist associated with at least one of the second user, the third user, or the first audio conversation; enabling, using the one or more computing device processors, at least one of the second user or the third user to view the waitlist; and initiating, using the one or more computing device processors, a second audio conversation between or among the at least one of the second user or the third user, and a user on the waitlist, upon termination of the first audio conversation.

In some embodiments, the method of claim 20, wherein the user on the waitlist is selected by the second user.

In some embodiments, the user on the waitlist is the first user.

In some embodiments, the user on the waitlist comprises a top-most user on the waitlist.

In some embodiments, the waitlist comprises a fourth user.

In some embodiments, the fourth user is presented with an option to drop off from the waitlist.

In some embodiments, the fourth user is deleted from the waitlist in response to the fourth user initiating a third audio conversation with a fifth user on the mobile application.

In some embodiments, the fourth user is presented with an estimated waiting time to initiate a third audio conversation with the at least one of the second user or the third user.

In some embodiments, the estimated waiting time is based on a conversation history, on the mobile application, of the at least one of the second user or third user during a period.

In some embodiments, the conversation history comprises a conversation duration associated with one or more previous conversation.

In some embodiments, the first audio conversation is terminated by at least one of the mobile application, the second user, or the third user.

Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for connecting users and speakers via audio conversations on a mobile application. In some embodiments, a method for connecting users and speakers via audio conversations on a mobile application, the method comprising: providing, using one or more computing device processors, speaker information associated with a speaker, wherein the speaker accesses a mobile application on a first mobile device of the speaker; determining, using the one or more computing device processors, a user accesses a mobile application on a second mobile device of the user; initiating, using the one or more computing device processors, an audio conversation between the speaker and the user; broadcasting, using the one or more computing device processors, on the mobile application, to a listener, an audio conversation involving the speaker and the user, wherein the listener accesses the mobile application on a third mobile device of the listener, wherein at least one of a first visual representation of the speaker not comprising a first photographic or video image of the speaker, and a second visual representation of the user not comprising a second photographic or video image of the user, is displayed on a user interface, associated with the mobile application, of the third mobile device of the listener during the broadcasting of the audio conversation involving the speaker and the user.

In some embodiments, at least a portion of the first visual representation of the speaker dynamically changes form, in substantially real-time, when the speaker speaks during the audio conversation, and wherein the at least the portion of the first visual representation of the speaker remains substantially static when the speaker does not speak during the audio conversation.

In some embodiments, the first visual representation comprises at least one of an avatar, an emoji, a symbol, a persona, an animation, a cartoon, an indicia, or an illustration.

In some embodiments, the second visual representation is associated with or comprises a product, a service, or a logo.

In some embodiments, the user accesses the speaker information on platform available to selected users.

In some embodiments, the speaker information comprises at least one of an interest associated with the speaker; the first visual representation; profile information associated with the speaker; listening history, associated with the speaker, on the mobile application; speaking history, associated with the speaker, on the mobile application; usage history, associated with the speaker, on the mobile application; follower user information associated with followers that follow the speaker on the mobile application; number of followers that follow the speaker; users followed by the speaker on the mobile application; user information associated with the users followed by the speaker on the mobile application; third-party social network information associated with the speaker; search history or search results, associated with the speaker, on the mobile application; search history or search results, associated with the speaker, on a third-party application or website; time spent by the speaker on the mobile application; duration of at least one previous audio conversation, associated with the speaker, on the mobile application; at least one statistic associated with multiple previous audio conversations, associated with the speaker, on the mobile application; current location associated with the speaker; location history associated with the speaker; device information associated with the first mobile device; network information associated with the first mobile device; a subject, topic, or hashtag that the speaker is interested in; audio content associated with previous audio conversations or live audio conversation associated with the speaker; conversation duration associated with the previous audio conversations or the live audio conversation associated with the speaker; number, location of, listener user information, or interest information of listeners associated with the previous audio conversations or the live audio conversation associated with the speaker; a previous, current, or predicted mood of the speaker during a period; or an average listening time for one or more listeners associated with one or more current, previous, or future audio conversations involving the speaker; a listening time statistic or information for the one or more listeners associated with the one or more current, previous, or future audio conversations involving the speaker; or a speaking time statistic or information for the one or more current, previous, or future audio conversations involving the speaker.

In some embodiments, the speaker is currently live on the mobile application.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises sending a notification to the speaker indicating that the user wants to initiate the audio conversation between the speaker and the user.

In some embodiments, the speaker is offline.

In some embodiments, the speaker is presented with an indicator on a second user interface of the mobile application on the first mobile device, wherein the indicator provides first data associated with a completed portion of the audio conversation, and predicted second data associated with a remaining portion of the audio conversation.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises transmitting or initiating presentation of, to the user, second speaker information associated with a second speaker similar to the speaker.

In some embodiments, the second speaker is similar to the speaker based on a number or type of common listeners shared between the speaker and the second speaker.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises providing the speaker information and providing second speaker information simultaneously on the second user interface of the mobile application on the second mobile device.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises notifying the speaker that the user executed a computing operation to initiate the audio conversation between the speaker and the user.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises notifying the speaker that the user executed a computing operation to obtain a next or top-most position to speak with the speaker on a waitlist associated with the speaker.

In some embodiments, the notification is displayed in the waitlist viewable by the speaker.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises determining the user executed a computing operation; and in response to determining the user executed the computing operation, adding the user to a waitlist associated with the speaker.

In some embodiments, initiating the audio conversation between the speaker and the user comprises terminating a second audio conversation between the speaker and a second user, wherein the second audio conversation is terminated either automatically or by the speaker.

In some embodiments, the speaker comprises an influencer.

In some embodiments, the speaker is in a solo audio conversation (no users present; only speaker is present such that the listeners are listening to the speaker) before the audio conversation between the speaker and the user is initiated.

In some embodiments, an apparatus is provided for connecting users and speakers via audio conversations on a mobile application, the apparatus comprising: one or more computing device processors; one or more memory systems comprising code, executable by the one or more computing device processors, and configured to: provide speaker information associated with a speaker, wherein the speaker accesses a mobile application on a first mobile device of the speaker; determine a user accesses a mobile application on a second mobile device of the user; initiate an audio conversation between the speaker and the user; broadcast, on the mobile application, to a listener, a first audio conversation involving the speaker and the user, wherein the listener accesses the mobile application on a third mobile device of the listener, wherein at least one of a first visual representation of the speaker not comprising a first photographic or video image of the speaker, and a second visual representation of the user not comprising a second photographic or video image of the user, is displayed on a user interface, associated with the mobile application, of the third mobile device of the listener during the broadcasting of the audio conversation involving the speaker and the user.

In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises at least one of an application server and at least one of the first mobile device, the second mobile device, or the third mobile device.

In some embodiments, the first visual representation comprises a facial representation.

In some embodiments, the at least the portion of the first visual representation comprises a lip or a mouth.

In some embodiments, at least one of the speaker, the user, or the listener is added to a feed presented to at least one second user, such that each of the at least one of the speaker, the user, or the listener is presented on a user interface of a mobile device of the at least one second user, and the at least one second user is presented with at least one option to approve, disapprove, or interact with the at least one of the presented speaker, the user, or the listener.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises inserting a targeted communication such as an advertisement in the feed, such that the targeted communication is presented on the user interface of the mobile device of the at least one second user.

In some embodiments, the at least one of the speaker, the user, the listener, or the targeted communication is presented individually on the user interface of the mobile device of the at least one second user.

In some embodiments, methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for enabling substantially instantaneous switching between conversation mode and listening mode on a mobile application. An exemplary method comprises: determining, using one or more computing device processors, a first user accesses a mobile application on a first mobile device of the first user; enabling, using the one or more computing device processors, the first user to select a conversation mode option or a listening mode option on the mobile application, wherein the conversation mode option and the listening mode option are presented simultaneously on a user interface of the mobile application on the first mobile device of the first user, wherein the first user cannot simultaneously select both the conversation mode option and the listening mode option; in response to the first user selecting the conversation mode option, modifying, using the one or more computing device processors, visual display of the conversation mode option, and determining, using the one or more computing device processors, a second user for conversing with the first user, wherein the second user accesses the mobile application on a second mobile device of the second user; or in response to the first user selecting the listening mode option, modifying, using the one or more computing device processors, visual display of the listening mode option, and determining, using the one or more computing device processors, an audio conversation involving a third user for broadcasting to the first user on the mobile application, wherein the third user accesses the mobile application on a third mobile device of the third user.

In some embodiments, in response to selecting the conversation mode option, a first visual representation of the second user not comprising a first photographic or video image of the second user is displayed on the user interface, associated with the mobile application, on the first mobile device of the first user during an audio conversation between the first user and the second user.

In some embodiments, in response to selecting the listening mode option, a first visual representation of the third user not comprising a first photographic or video image of the third user, is displayed on the user interface, associated with the mobile application, on the first mobile device of the first user during the broadcasting of the audio conversation involving the third user.

In some embodiments, at least a portion of the first visual representation of the third user dynamically changes form, in substantially real-time, when the third user speaks during the audio conversation, and wherein the at least the portion of the first visual representation of the third user remains substantially static when the third user does not speak during the audio conversation.

In some embodiments, the first visual representation comprises at least one of an avatar, an emoji, a symbol, a persona, an animation, a cartoon, an indicia, or an illustration.

In some embodiments, the conversation mode option comprises an audio-only conversation mode option and the listening mode option comprises a listening-only conversation mode option.

In some embodiments, the conversation mode comprises an audiovisual conversation mode option and the listening mode option comprises an audiovisual listening mode option.

In some embodiments, the conversation mode option and the listening mode option are presented near each other on the user interface of the first mobile device of the first user.

In some embodiments, the conversation mode option and the listening mode options are presented within at least one of 1 inch, 0.75 inches, 0.5 inches, 0.25 inches, 0.1 inches, 0.05 inches, 0.025 inches, 0.01 inches, 0.005 inches, or 0.0025 inches of each other on a bottom portion of the user interface of the first mobile device of the first user.

In some embodiments, the conversation mode option and the listening mode option are adjacent to each other on the user interface of the first mobile device of the first user.

In some embodiments, the conversation mode option is highlighted when selected by the first user or wherein the listening mode option is highlighted when selected by the first user.

In some embodiments, the conversation mode option is highlighted and the listening mode option is unhighlighted in response to the first user switching the mobile application from operating in listening mode to operating in conversation mode.

In some embodiments, the listening mode option is highlighted and the conversation mode option is unhighlighted in response to the first user switching the mobile application from operating in listening mode to operating in conversation mode.

In some embodiments, an apparatus for enabling substantially instantaneous switching between conversation mode and listening mode on a mobile application, the apparatus comprises one or more computing device processors; one or more memory systems comprising code, executable by the one or more computing device processors, and configured to: determine a first user accesses a mobile application on a first mobile device of the first user; enable the first user to select a conversation mode option or a listening mode option on the mobile application, wherein the conversation mode option and the listening mode option are presented together on a user interface of the mobile application on the first mobile device of the first user, wherein the first user cannot simultaneously select both the conversation mode option and the listening mode option; in response to the first user selecting the conversation mode option, modify visual display of the conversation mode option, and determine a second user for conversing with the first user, wherein the second user accesses the mobile application on a second mobile device of the second user; or in response to the first user selecting the listening mode option, modify visual display of the listening mode option, and determine an audio conversation involving a third user for broadcasting to the first user on the mobile application, wherein the third user accesses the mobile application on a third mobile device of the third user.

In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises at least one of an application server and at least one of the first mobile device, second mobile device, or the third mobile device.

In some embodiments, a method for enabling substantially instantaneous switching between conversation mode and listening mode on a mobile application, the method comprises: determining, using one or more computing device processors, a first user accesses a mobile application on a first mobile device of the first user; enabling, using the one or more computing device processors, the first user to select a conversation mode option or a listening mode option on the mobile application, wherein the conversation mode option and the listening mode option are presented on a user interface of the mobile application on the first mobile device of the first user, wherein the first user cannot simultaneously select both the conversation mode option and the listening mode option; in response to the first user selecting the conversation mode option, modifying, using the one or more computing device processors, visual display of the conversation mode option, and determining, using the one or more computing device processors, a second user for conversing with the first user, wherein the second user accesses the mobile application on a second mobile device of the second user; or in response to the first user selecting the listening mode option, modifying, using the one or more computing device processors, visual display of the listening mode option, and determining, using the one or more computing device processors, an audio conversation involving a third user for broadcasting to the first user on the mobile application, wherein the third user accesses the mobile application on a third mobile device of the third user.

In some embodiments, the method comprises in response to the first user selecting the conversation mode option, modifying, using the one or more computing device processors, visual display of both the conversation mode option and the listening mode option.

In some embodiments, the method comprises in response to the first user selecting the listening mode option, modifying, using the one or more computing device processors, visual display of both the listening mode option and the conversation mode option.

In some embodiments, the mobile application cannot be operated in any other mode other than conversation mode or listening mode.

In some embodiments, the conversation mode option and the listening mode option are integrated into a single option such that when the first user selects the single option when the mobile application, on the first mobile device, is in conversation mode, the mobile application switches from the conversation mode to the listening mode, and when the user selects the single option when the mobile application, on the first mobile device, is in listening mode, the mobile application switches from the listening mode to the conversation mode.

In some embodiments, the audio conversation comprises an audio-only conversation.

In some embodiments, the audio conversation comprises an audio-video conversation.

In some embodiments, the audio conversation comprises an audio-visual conversation. Therefore, in some embodiments, the user interface comprises visual representations of the users/speakers may be replaced by still images or substantially live video of the users/speakers.

In some embodiments, the conversation mode option comprises a video conferencing mode option such that the first user enters a video conference with the second user, conducted on the mobile application, when selecting the conversation mode option.

In some embodiments, the listening mode option comprises a video watching mode options such that the first user watches, on the mobile application on the first mobile device, a video or video conference associated with or involving the third user, when selecting the listening mode option.

In some embodiments, the first visual representation comprises a facial representation.

In some embodiments, the at least the portion of the first visual representation comprises a lip or a mouth.

Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for initiating and extending audio conversations among mobile device users on a mobile application. In some embodiments, a method comprises: determining, using one or more computing device processors, a first user accesses a mobile application on a first mobile device of the first user; determining, using the one or more computing device processors, a second user accesses the mobile application on a second mobile device of the second user; initiating, using the one or more computing device processors, an audio conversation between the first user and the second user; transmitting, using the one or more computing device processors, audio conversation information to at least one of the first user or the second user; broadcasting, using the one or more computing device processors, the audio conversation to a third user who accesses the mobile application on a third mobile device of the third user; transmitting, using the one or more computing device processors, to the first mobile device for visual display, during the audio conversation, on a user interface of the mobile application on the first mobile device, a visual representation of the second user not comprising a photographic or video image of the second user; and transmitting, using the one or more computing device processors, to the second mobile device for visual display, during the audio conversation, on a user interface of the mobile application on the second mobile device, a visual representation of the first user not comprising a photographic or video image of the first user.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises: transmitting, using the one or more computing device processors, to the third mobile device for visual display, during the audio conversation, on a user interface of the mobile application on the third mobile device, the visual representation of the first user not comprising the first photographic or video image of the first user; and transmitting, using the one or more computing device processors, to the third mobile device for visual display, during the audio conversation, on the user interface of the mobile application on the third mobile device, the visual representation of the second user not comprising a second photographic or video image of the second user.

In some embodiments, the audio conversation information comprises at least one of game information, a hint, a quote, a question, trivia information, role-playing information, improvisation information, social game information, word game information, debate information, or social game information.

In some embodiments, the audio conversation information is usable by at least one of the first user or the second user to initiate or extend the audio conversation.

In some embodiments, the audio conversation information comprises trending information extracted from a third-party social network.

In some embodiments, the audio conversation information is transmitted to the first user and second audio conversation information, different from the audio conversation information, is transmitted to the second user.

In some embodiments, the audio conversation information is transmitted to the first user and second audio conversation information, different from the audio conversation information, is transmitted to the second user either before, after, or substantially simultaneously with the audio conversation information transmitted to the first user.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises receiving a topic from at least one of the first user or the second user, wherein the audio conversation information is based on the topic.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises initiating presentation of a prompt on the user interface of the mobile application on the first user device, wherein the prompt prompts the first user to pick a topic.

In some embodiments, the topic comprises at least one trending topic received or obtain from at least one social network.

In some embodiments, the topic comprises at least one topic associated with general chatting.

In some embodiments, the topic is presented on the user interface of the mobile application on the first mobile device during the audio conversation between the first user and the second user.

In some embodiments, the topic is presented simultaneously with the visual representation of the second user on the user interface of the mobile application on the first mobile device during the audio conversation between the first user and the second user.

In some embodiments, the topic is presented simultaneously with the visual representation of the first user on the user interface of the mobile application on the second mobile device during the audio conversation between the first user and the second user.

In some embodiments, the user interface of the mobile application on the first user device comprises an option to request new audio conversation information.

In some embodiments, the audio conversation information is based on at least one of first user information associated with the first user or second user information associated with the second user.

In some embodiments, the audio conversation information is presented on a user interface associated with at least one of the first mobile device or the second mobile device during the audio conversation between the first user and the second user.

In some embodiments, the visual representation comprises at least one of an avatar, an emoji, a symbol, a persona, an animation, a cartoon, an indicia, an illustration, a graph, or a histogram.

In some embodiments, at least a portion of the visual representation of the first user dynamically changes form, in substantially real-time, when the first user speaks during the audio conversation, and wherein the at least the portion of the visual representation of the first user remains substantially static when the first user does not speak during the audio conversation.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises selecting, using the one or more computing device processors, the first user and the second user for participating in an audio conversation based on at least first user information associated with the first user and second user information associated with the second user.

In some embodiments, the first user information comprises at least one of an interest associated with the first user; the visual representation associated with the first user; profile information associated with the first user; listening history, associated with the first user, on the mobile application; speaking history, associated with the first user, on the mobile application; usage history, associated with the first user, on the mobile application; a fourth user that follows the first user on the mobile application; third user information associated with the fourth user; a fifth user that the first user follows on the mobile application; fourth user information associated with the fifth user; third-party social network information associated with the first user; search history, associated with the first user, on the mobile application; search history, associated with the first user, on a third-party application or website; time spent by the first user on the mobile application; duration of at least one previous audio conversation, associated with the first user, on the mobile application; at least one statistic associated with multiple previous audio conversations, associated with the first user, on the mobile application; current location associated with the first user; location history associated with the first user; device information associated with the first mobile device; network information associated with the first mobile device; a previous, current, or predicted mood of the first user during a period; a subject, topic, or hashtag that the first user is predicted to be interested in; predicted audio content associated with the audio conversation; predicted conversation duration associated with the audio conversation; predicted number or location of listeners associated with the audio conversation; an average listening time for one or more listeners associated with one or more current, previous, or future audio conversations involving the first user as a speaker; a listening time statistic or information for the one or more listeners associated with the one or more current, previous, or future audio conversations involving the first user as the speaker; or a speaking time statistic or information for the one or more current, previous, or future audio conversations involving the first user as the speaker.

In some embodiments, an apparatus is provided for initiating and broadcasting audio conversations, the apparatus comprising: one or more computing device processors; one or more memory systems comprising code, executable by the one or more computing device processors, and configured to: determine a first user accesses a mobile application on a first mobile device of the first user; determine a second user accesses the mobile application on a second mobile device of the second user; initiate an audio conversation between the first user and the second user; transmit audio conversation information to at least one of the first user or the second user; broadcast the audio conversation to a third user who accesses the mobile application on a third mobile device of the third user; transmit, to the first mobile device for visual display, during the audio conversation, on a user interface of the mobile application on the first mobile device, a visual representation of the second user not comprising a photographic or video image of the second user; and transmit, to the second mobile device for visual display, during the audio conversation, on a user interface of the mobile application on the second mobile device, a visual representation of the first user not comprising a photographic or video image of the first user.

In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises at least one of an application server and at least one of the first mobile device, the second mobile device, or the third mobile device.

In some embodiments, the visual representation of the first user comprises a facial representation.

In some embodiments, the at least the portion of the visual representation of the first user comprises a lip or a mouth.

In some embodiments, an exemplary method is provided comprising: receiving, using one or more computing device processors, an instruction from a first user to initiate a private audio conversation with a second user, wherein the second user and the first user are connected on a network associated with a mobile application; transmitting, using the one or more computing device processors, a message to the second user indicating that the first user wants to initiate the private audio conversation with the second user; receiving, using the one or more computing device processors, approval from the second user in response to the message; and initiating, using the one or more computing device processors, the private audio conversation between the first user and the second user; receiving, using the one or more computing device processors, a second instruction from the first user to switch the private audio conversation to a public audio conversation, wherein the public audio conversation is audible to at least one user other than the first user and the second user; transmitting, using the one or more computing device processors, a second message to the second user indicating that the first user wants to switch the private audio conversation to the public audio conversation; receiving, using the one or more computing device processors, second approval from the second user in response to the second message; switching, using the one or more computing device processors, the private audio conversation to the public audio conversation; and enabling, using the one or more computing device processors, a third user to listen to the public audio conversation.

In some embodiments, the first user is comprised in a user connections list on a user profile of the second user. In some embodiments, the second user is comprised in a user connections list on a user profile of the first user. In some embodiments, the private audio conversation is not added to a first user profile of the first user and a second user profile of the second user. In some embodiments, the public audio conversation is added to a first user profile of the first user and a second user profile of the second user.

In some embodiments, the learning by the application server or mobile application is achieved based on analysis of many users' data such that learning obtained from one user's data may be applied to another user.

In some embodiments, the terms signal, data, and information may be used interchangeably. In some embodiments, a talk, conversation, stream and discussion may be used interchangeably. In some embodiments, a conversation or audio conversation or audio-based conversation may refer to an audio-only conversation between or among users. In some other embodiments, a conversation or audio conversation or audio-based conversation may refer to an audiovisual conversation involving audio and the speakers in the conversation being represented by visual representations, which may be avatars, emojis, personas, etc. In still other embodiments, a conversation or audio conversation or audio-based conversation may refer to an audio-visual image or audio-video conversation involving audio and still images or video (e.g., live video or image captures) associated with the users in the conversation. In some embodiments, any features associated with listening mode may also be applicable to conversation mode, and vice versa. In some embodiments, any features associated with historical conversation may also be applicable to live conversations, and vice versa. In some embodiments, any features that are applicable to live or recorded conversation may also apply to audio messages. In some embodiments, any reference to a mobile application may also refer to an instance of a mobile application. Any features that are applicable to any embodiments described herein may also be applicable to any other features described herein.

This patent application incorporates by reference the following commonly owned applications, naming the same inventors, and filed on the same date as the present application (note that the list includes the present application):

(1) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/003,868, titled “COMPLEX COMPUTING NETWORK FOR IMPROVING ESTABLISHMENT AND BROADCASTING OF AUDIO COMMUNICATION AMONG MOBILE COMPUTING DEVICES,” filed on Aug. 26, 2020;

(2) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/003,876, titled “COMPLEX COMPUTING NETWORK FOR PROVIDING AUDIO CONVERSATIONS AND ASSOCIATED VISUAL REPRESENTATIONS ON A MOBILE APPLICATION,” filed on Aug. 26, 2020;

(3) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/003,878, titled “COMPLEX COMPUTING NETWORK FOR CUSTOMIZING A VISUAL REPRESENTATION FOR USE IN AN AUDIO CONVERSATION ON A MOBILE APPLICATION,” filed on Aug. 26, 2020;

(4) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/003,885, titled “COMPLEX COMPUTING NETWORK FOR HANDLING AUDIO MESSAGES DURING AN AUDIO CONVERSATION ON A MOBILE APPLICATION,” filed on Aug. 26, 2020;

(5) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/003,888, titled “COMPLEX COMPUTING NETWORK FOR HANDLING DROPPING OF USERS DURING AN AUDIO CONVERSATION ON A MOBILE APPLICATION,” filed on Aug. 26, 2020;

(6) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/003,891, titled “COMPLEX COMPUTING NETWORK FOR GENERATING AND HANDLING A WAITLIST ASSOCIATED WITH A SPEAKER IN AN AUDIO CONVERSATION ON A MOBILE APPLICATION,” filed on Aug. 26, 2020;

(7) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/003,893, titled “COMPLEX COMPUTING NETWORK FOR ESTABLISHING AUDIO COMMUNICATION BETWEEN SELECT USERS ON A MOBILE APPLICATION,” filed on Aug. 26, 2020;

(8) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/003,895, titled “COMPLEX COMPUTING NETWORK FOR ENABLING SUBSTANTIALLY INSTANTANEOUS SWITCHING BETWEEN CONVERSATION MODE AND LISTENING MODE ON A MOBILE APPLICATION,” filed on Aug. 26, 2020;

(9) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/003,896, titled “COMPLEX COMPUTING NETWORK FOR INITIATING AND EXTENDING AUDIO CONVERSATIONS AMONG MOBILE DEVICE USERS ON A MOBILE APPLICATION,” filed on Aug. 26, 2020.

The foregoing description of the implementations of the present disclosure has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the present disclosure be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by the claims of this application. Accordingly, the disclosure of the present disclosure is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the present disclosure, which is set forth in the following claims. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for generating visual representations for use in audio conversations, the method comprising: receiving, using one or more computing device processors, user information associated with a first user; receiving, using the one or more computing device processors, visual representation information input by the first user, wherein the visual representation information comprises a first facial feature, and wherein the visual representation information further comprises a second facial feature distinct from the first facial feature; generating, using the one or more computing device processors, a visual representation based on the visual representation information, wherein the generating comprises combining the first facial feature and the second facial feature, wherein the visual representation is not generated based on a video image or a still image of the first user captured by a user device associated with the first user, wherein the visual representation is presented to a second user during an audio conversation between the first user and the second user, wherein at least one of the first facial feature or the second facial feature constantly changes form when the first user speaks during the audio conversation, wherein both the first facial feature and the second facial feature remain static when the second user speaks during the audio conversation, wherein the visual representation of the first user and a second visual representation of the second user are presented simultaneously to a third user listening to the audio conversation between the first user and the second user during the audio conversation between the first user and the second user; and generating, using the one or more computing device processors, a user profile for the first user, wherein the user profile is accessible to the second user, wherein the user profile comprises the visual representation, wherein the user profile comprises users followed by or following the first user, wherein the user profile is editable by the first user during the audio conversation between the first user and the second user, wherein the audio conversation is added to the user profile either during or after conclusion of the audio conversation between the first user and the second user, and wherein the user profile comprises an option to play the audio conversation between the first user and the second user.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the visual representation does not comprise the video image or the still image of the first user.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first facial feature or the second facial feature comprises at least one of a head, a lip, a mouth, eyes, an ear, a nose, and hair.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first facial feature or the second facial feature comprises at least one of headgear, glasses, or an accessory.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first user is added to a list of followers comprised in a second user profile of the second user.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first user can establish a private call with a fourth user following the first user based on the first user also following the fourth user.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein a second audio conversation is added to the user profile upon scheduling of the second audio conversation.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the user profile comprises a list of conversations that the first user has participated in, is currently participating in, has previously listened to, or is currently listening to.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the user profile presents an option to share the audio conversation with the third user on a mobile application on which the audio conversation is conducted, or with an external social network.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the form associated with the first facial feature or the second facial feature comprises a shape or a size.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the visual representation comprises at least one of an avatar, an emoji, a symbol, a persona, an animation, a cartoon, an indicia, an illustration, a histogram, or a graph.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the user profile comprises a suggested audio conversation to listen to or a suggested user to follow.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the user profile is editable by the first user on a mobile application while conducting the audio conversation on the mobile application or while listening to a second audio conversation on the mobile application.
 14. An apparatus for generating visual representations for use in audio conversations, the apparatus comprising: one or more computing device processors; one or more memory systems comprising code, executable by the one or more computing device processors, and configured to: receive user information associated with a first user; receive visual representation information input by the first user, wherein the visual representation information comprises a first feature, wherein the visual representation information further comprises a second feature distinct from the first feature, and wherein the first feature comprises a facial feature; and generate a visual representation based on the visual representation information, wherein the visual representation is not generated based on a video image or a still image of the first user captured by a user device associated with the first user, wherein the visual representation is presented to a second user during an audio conversation between the first user and the second user, wherein the visual representation does not comprise the video image or the still image of the first user, wherein the visual representation of the first user and a second visual representation of the second user are presented simultaneously to a third user listening to the audio conversation between the first user and a second user during the audio conversation between the first user and the second user, wherein a user profile comprises users followed by or following the first user, and wherein a user profile is editable by the first user during the audio conversation between the first user and the second user.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the apparatus comprises at least one of an application server or a mobile device.
 16. A method for generating visual representations for use in audio conversations, the method comprising: receiving, using one or more computing device processors, user information associated with a first user; receiving, using the one or more computing device processors, visual representation information input by the first user, wherein the visual representation information comprises a first feature, wherein the visual representation information further comprises a second feature distinct from the first feature, and wherein the first feature comprises a facial feature; and generating, using the one or more computing device processors, a visual representation based on the visual representation information, wherein the visual representation is not generated based on a video image or a still image of the first user captured by a user device associated with the first user, wherein the visual representation is presented to a second user during an audio conversation between the first user and the second user, wherein the visual representation does not comprise the video image or the still image of the first user, wherein the visual representation of the first user and a second visual representation of the second user are presented simultaneously to a third user listening to the audio conversation between the first user and the second user during the audio conversation between the first user and the second user, wherein a user profile comprises users followed by or following the first user, and wherein the user profile is editable by the first user during the audio conversation between the first user and the second user.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the visual representation comprises at least one of an avatar, an emoji, a symbol, a persona, an animation, a cartoon, an indicia, an illustration, a graph, or a histogram, or further comprising associating the visual representation with the user profile of the first user.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the facial feature comprises a lip, and wherein the lip tracks speech of the first user during the audio conversation.
 19. The method of claim 16, further comprising providing an option to generate a second visual representation for the first user based on automatically selected features. 